Research
Better health associated with more frequent and better quality sex in later life
People who are in good health are almost twice as likely to be interested in sex compared to those in poor health, according to evidence from two US population based cross sectional surveys of aging. The study also estimates how many remaining sexually active years healthy men and women have left. In an accompanying editorial, Patricia Goodson writes that many unanswered questions remain in the field of older people and sexuality, such as problems with measurement and silence regarding the sexual health of ageing homosexual, bisexual or intersexed people.
Research
Efficacy of 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in preventing pneumonia and improving survival in nursing home residents
The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine prevented pneumococcal pneumonia and reduced mortality from pneumococcal pneumonia in nursing home residents, according to this double blind, randomised and placebo controlled trial. However in a linked editorial, Sarah Moberley and Paul Torzillo, say that evidence of efficacy against pneumonia is still limited.
News
Taxing junk food improves health outcomes, study finds
The price of soda drinks and pizza affects their level of consumption and therefore has an effect on health outcomes, a 20 year US study has concluded. It suggests that imposing a tax on junk food might improve public health.
More news published on 9 March:
- Dutch cafes remove ashtrays from tables once more as law is set to tighten
- AstraZeneca is to stop research into 10 diseases to cut costs
- Engaging patients is crucial to improving health outcomes
- MEP moves to increase information to patients on prescription drugs
- Virgin gets slice of England's primary care services
- US pro-life groups ask black women to avoid abortion, calling it genocide
- Karolinska research dean calls his dismissal an over-reaction
- Spain allows abortion on demand up to 14 weeks
- Malaria treatment should begin with parasitological diagnosis where possible, says WHO
Research
Rapid testing for malaria in settings where microscopy is available and peripheral clinics where only presumptive treatment is available
Where microscopy already exists, introducing rapid diagnostic tests had limited impact on prescriber behaviour, according to this randomised controlled trial in Ghana. In settings where microscopy was not available, however, using rapid diagnostic tests led to a significant reduction in the overprescription of antimalarials, without any evidence of clinical harm, and to better targeting of antibiotics.
Education
Treating articular cartilage injuries of the knee in young people
Articular cartilage injuries of the knee are common in people aged under 35. This clinical review investigates who is most likely to get injuries, how they are classified, diagnosed and treated, including osteochondral autograft transplantation, or mosaicplasty (pictured with permission of the British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery). It also highlights ongoing research and offers tips for non-specialists.
Comment
Medicine and the media: science, chronic fatigue syndrome, and me
"Breakthrough" research in a major journal on a possible cause of chronic fatigue syndrome made a big splash in the media. But Cathie Sudlow regrets that sceptics such as herself were unable to get heard.
More comment published on 3 March:
- Lobby watch: The social issues research centre
- Christopher Martyn: What doctors can learn from the factory floor
- Use of comics in medical education and patient care
- Personal view: My year without drug reps
- Medical classic: A Study in Scarlet
- James Owen Drife: An avalanche of apple pie: too many guidelines?
- Des Spence: Bad medicine - type 2 diabetes
- Theodore Dalrymple: Public robbery and the NHS
Podcast
Chronic fatigue syndrome
This week’s hot topic is chronic fatigue syndrome. The journal Science published a paper in October 2009, which suggested a possible link between a new virus (xenotrophic murine leukaemia virus-like virus) and the syndrome. Duncan Jarvies is looking at the evidence behind this link, and finding out more about the history and treatment of the condition. Richard Hurley takes us through what news caught his eye last week.
Student BMJ
Wanted: student editor for Student BMJ
Would you - or a medical student you know - like to learn how to edit the Student BMJ? The job involves all aspects of publishing the award winning international magazine for medical students online and in print, including commissioning, peer reviewing, and editing articles. You should have some clinical experience, excellent written English, and some experience of writing or editing. The job is based at our London offices for a year starting this May and attracts the salary of a first year NHS house officer. Find out how to apply here.
doc2doc
Hospital parking charges for staff
The Department of Health denies being responsible for unpopular patient and staff car parking policies but says it is completely legal for NHS employers to increase parking tariffs whenever they want. This means the amount NHS staff pay for the right to fight for a parking space every morning remains at the mercy of hospital managers. One hospital trust recently took one of their doctors to court over an unpaid £10 parking fine that the doctor refused to pay on principle. Is this a waste of hospital and court time and expense or reasonable action from the trust in order to make an example? Have you had any parking horror stories? Share them on doc2doc, BMJ's global clinical online community. How much does your hospital charge you for parking? Add your hospital to our Google map
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