Journal scan
COPD: patients in need of reassurance say they value input from clinicians
Healthcare professionals' support prevents people with COPD feeling overwhelmed by symptoms
Diet study offers hope for people with epilepsy
Bacteria may help limit seizures, study of high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet finds
Hospitals underestimate number of staff needed to prevent infections
Study suggests new benchmark
Sharing surveillance of infectious diseases could reduce use of antibiotics
International study found diagnoses improved through shared use of surveillance systems
Sham operation casts doubt on back treatment
Surgery to repair spinal fractures was no more effective than a sham procedure
Documenting and treatment of pain falls as cognitive impairment increases
Pain management drugs less prevalent in nursing home residents with severe impairment
Early rehab cuts mortality rates for pneumonia patients
Patients with pneumonia admitted to intensive care have lower rates of in-hospital mortality when they receive early rehabilitation, including range-of-motion and muscle-strengthening exercises, researchers say
Parents’ mental health impaired when children are seriously ill
Parents whose children need intensive care treatment suffer clinically significant impairment of their mental health, researchers say
Sedative may prevent delirium in critical patients in intensive care
A low dose of the sedative dexmedetomidine given at night may prevent delirium in critically ill patients, researchers say in what they call a practice-altering study
Blood plasma test could lead to earlier diagnosis of autism
A pioneering test has revealed a link between autism and damage to proteins in blood plasma that could lead to earlier diagnosis of the condition, scientists say
Alcohol use disorders a major risk for dementia, especially early-onset
Alcohol use disorders are a major risk factor for all types of dementia, especially early-onset dementia, study shows
Eating slowly, avoiding late dinners may lower obesity
Eating slowly, avoiding eating dinner in the two hours before going to bed and not skipping breakfast may lower obesity, a study suggests