No measurable clinical improvements between them and non-users, research suggests The health benefits of multivitamin/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of those who take them, prompted by positive expectations of effectiveness rather than hard evidence of that, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Multivitamin/mineral supplements are widely used, with some estimates […]
Latest articles
Top 10 most read in September: viral clearance in COVID-19 patients, prescribing practices and sex-differences in ECG abnormalities
September was a busy month with six new entries to our top 10, including a new paper at number one. These join four previously published papers that continue to catch readers’ attention. In eighth place, Bolijn et al. investigate sex differences in the prevalence of major and minor electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in a multi-ethnic population […]
It is time to embrace cannabis for medicinal use, say experts
20 months after cannabis-based products for medicinal use were legalised in the UK, attitudes towards using them are still highly sceptical, say researchers Attitudes towards cannabis products for medicinal use need to change with much greater appropriate use of such products to help alleviate patients’ pain, suggests research published in the journal BMJ Open. Researchers found […]
Late childhood peer group status linked to heightened adult circulatory disease risk
Unpopular pre-teens at significantly higher risk of heart and blood vessel conditions Late childhood peer group status may be linked to a heightened risk of developing circulatory system disease—conditions that affect the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels–in later life, indicates research published in the online journal BMJ Open. 13-year olds who aren’t very […]
Antipsychotic prescriptions haven’t budged in 10+ years despite recommendations to curb use
And antidepressant prescriptions have risen sharply over the same period The number of antipsychotic drugs prescribed to patients with intellectual disabilities has hardly changed in over a decade despite official recommendations for clinicians to stop using them due to side effects, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. And there’s been a sharp rise […]
Optimal detection and treatment of cardiac risk could save millions of lives and billions of pounds
3.4 million cases of cardiovascular disease likely prevented and £68 bn saved, calculate researchers Nearly 3.5 million cases of heart disease and stroke could be prevented, and £68 billion saved in health and social care costs over a period of 25 years, if every adult in England at high risk of cardiovascular disease were diagnosed […]
Top 10 Most Read in August: The incubation period of COVID-19, gender bias in peer review and new face mask testing.
August saw a number of new papers enter BMJ Open’s top 10 most read articles. First up is a rapid systematic review of estimates of the incubation period of COVID-19. The incubation period is the time in days from the point of COVID-19 exposure to the onset of symptoms. Having reliable estimates of the incubation […]
Top 10 Most Read in May: Women’s experiences of breastfeeding beyond infancy, the birth sex ratio following the 2016 United States presidential election, and the validation of a clinical examination to differentiate a cervicogenic source of headache
In May, we saw seven new manuscripts enter the BMJ Open’s top 10 most read articles since our last update in February. New in at number one is a qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of breastfeeding beyond infancy in the UK. Thompson et al. interviewed 19 women in breastfeeding support groups and found that they […]
Top 10 Most Read in February: Associations between SES and adverse birth outcomes in Canada, the use of hormones among transgender women in Nepal and the effects of introducing PrEP programmes in Sweden
In February, we saw five new papers enter BMJ Open’s list of top 10 most read articles. New entries include a protocol for a systematic review and meta analysis that aims to examine the effects of physical activity interventions on the BMI of children and adolescents in Latin america, and a study into the use […]
Around 1 in 20 calls to NHS 111 helpline result in unnecessary emergency care visit
Despite advice to seek alternative options, such as the family doctor, local pharmacist, or self-care Around one in 20 calls made to the healthcare helpline NHS 111 result in unnecessary attendance at emergency care within 24 hours, despite callers having been advised to seek alternative forms of care, reveals an analysis published in the online […]