Cancer burden with ageing population in urban regions in China: projection on cancer registry data from World Health Organization
This study focuses on the changes of the ageing population and projects the incidence of common ageing-related cancers in the urban regions in China up to 2030.<div class="boxTitle">Sources of data</div>Cancer incidence data and population statistics in China were extracted from the International Agency for Research on Cancer.<div class="boxTitle">Areas of agreement</div>Due to improving longevity in China, continuous and remarkable increasing trends for the lung, colorectal and prostate cancers are expected.<div class="boxTitle">Growing points</div>The rate of expanding ageing populatio...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - December 1, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: research
Wrist arthroscopy in the management of articular distal radius fractures
Introduction
Fractures of the distal radius account for 15% of all fractures. The use of arthroscopy is increasingly popular in the last years, with the goal to achieve a better anatomical reduction of the articular fragments.
Sources of data
We searched the literature on Medline (PubMed), Web of Science and Scopus databases using the combined keywords ‘wrist’, ‘distal radial fracture’, ‘distal radius fracture’ and ‘arthroscopy’. Twenty-eight studies were identified. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Coleman Methodological Score.
Areas of agreement
Arthrosco...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Smeraglia, F., Del Buono, A., Maffulli, N. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 2016
Introduction
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the commonest cause of liver disease worldwide, and is rapidly becoming the leading indication for liver transplantation.
Sources of data
Original articles, reviews and meta-analyses, guidelines.
Areas of agreement
NAFLD strongly correlates with obesity and insulin resistance; currently, the best management strategy is weight loss and treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
Areas of controversy
Recent data suggest that the presence of fibrosis and not non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the predictor of clinical outcome.
Growing points
Many phase 2 and 3 trials are und...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Townsend, S. A., Newsome, P. N. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Novel advances in the treatment of osteoporosis
Introduction
Osteoporosis is a significant public health issue affecting over half of women aged over 50. With an aging population, its importance is set to increase further over time. Prevention of fragility fractures avoids significant mortality and morbidity as well as saving significant direct and indirect costs to the economy. In this review, we discuss existing treatments to contextualize the treatment landscape, and demonstrate how our understanding of bone pathophysiology has led to novel therapies—in the form of combinations and altered durations of existing treatments, as well as newer drug therapies.
Sour...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Chan, C. K. Y., Mason, A., Cooper, C., Dennison, E. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Return to sport following clavicle fractures: a systematic review
Introduction
This review aims to provide information on the return rates and return times to sport following clavicle fractures.
Sources of data
A systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, CINAHAL, Cochrane, Web of Science, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and Google Scholar was performed using the keywords ‘clavicle’, ‘clavicular’, ‘fractures’, ‘athletes’, ‘sports’, ‘non-operative’, ‘conservative’, ‘operative’, ‘return to sport’.
Areas of agreement
Twenty-three studies were included: 10 reported on mid-shaft fractures, 14 o...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Robertson, G. A. J., Wood, A. M. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Heart failure--potential new targets for therapy
Introduction/background
Heart failure is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review covers current heart failure treatment guidelines, emerging therapies that are undergoing clinical trial, and potential new therapeutic targets arising from basic science advances.
Sources of data
A non-systematic search of MEDLINE was carried out. International guidelines and relevant reviews were searched for additional articles.
Areas of agreement
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers are first line treatments for chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular function.
Areas of cont...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Nabeebaccus, A., Zheng, S., Shah, A. M. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Introduction
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The primary involvement is of motor neurons in the brain, spinal cord and peripherally. There is secondary weakness of muscles and primary involvement of other brain regions, especially involving cognition.
Sources of data
Peer-reviewed journal articles and reviews. PubMed.gov
Areas of agreement
The pathogenesis of ALS remains largely unknown. There are a wide range of potential mechanisms related to neurodegeneration. An increasing number of genetic factors are recognized.
Areas of controversy
...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Morgan, S., Orrell, R. W. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Childhood amblyopia: current management and new trends
Introduction or background
With a prevalence of 2–5%, amblyopia is the most common vision deficit in children in the UK and the second most common cause of functional low vision in children in low-income countries.
Sources of data
Pubmed, Cochrane library and clinical trial registries (clinicaltrials.gov, ISRCTN, UKCRN portfolio database).
Areas of agreement
Screening and treatment at the age of 4–5 years are cost efficient and clinically effective. Optical treatment (glasses) alone can improve visual acuity, with residual amblyopia treated by part-time occlusion or pharmacological blurring of the better-seei...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tailor, V., Bossi, M., Greenwood, J. A., Dahlmann-Noor, A. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Novel biomarkers predicting cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction
Background
Measurement of biomarkers provides a cost-effective and widely available method to estimate cardiac dysfunction and clinical outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Sources of data
PubMed entries with terms ‘myocardial infarction’ and the respective biomarker.
Areas of agreement
Cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides are closely related to left ventricular dysfunction and the occurrence of adverse clinical events following AMI.
Areas of contention
The incremental value of novel biomarkers is controversial.
Future directions
The combination of traditional and novel biomarke...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Feistritzer, H.-J., Klug, G., Reinstadler, S. J., Reindl, M., Mayr, A., Mair, J., Metzler, B. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
The effectiveness of home hand exercise programmes in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly reduces hand function. We systematically reviewed trials to investigate effects of home hand exercise programmes on hand symptoms and function in RA.
Sources of Data
We searched: Medline (1946–), AMED, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, OT Seeker, the Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science from inception to January 2016.
Areas of Agreement
Nineteen trials were evaluated. Only three were randomized controlled trials with a low risk of bias (n = 665). Significant short-term improvements occurred in hand function, pain and grip strength, with long-term impr...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Hammond, A., Prior, Y. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Therapies in the pipeline for small-cell lung cancer
Introduction or background
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents ~15% of all cases of lung cancer and is characterized by a rapid tumour doubling time, early onset disease dissemination and high sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Sources of data
We searched MEDLINE and OVID databases for articles in English published from January 1980 to February 2015.
Areas of agreement
Platinum-based chemotherapy, thoracic radiotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation are standard of care. Benefit from second-line chemotherapy is limited.
Areas of controversy
The role of platinum/irinotecan chemotherapy in the Western population and ...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Romanidou, O., Imbimbo, M., Mountzios, G., Abidin, A., Morgillo, F., Califano, R. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Zika virus--a review for clinicians
(Source: British Medical Bulletin)
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Mo, Y., Alferez Salada, B. M., Tambyah, P. A. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
The role of aspirin in preventing colorectal cancer
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the developed world and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the UK and USA. Regular use of aspirin can reduce cancer incidence, recurrence, metastasis and cancer-related mortality.
Sources of data
Peer-reviewed journals, governmental and professional society publications.
Areas of agreement
There is a wide body of evidence from observational studies and randomized trials that aspirin reduces risk of CRC. There is a delay of several years between initiation and effect. There is interpersonal variation in aspirin metabolism but p...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Burn, J., Sheth, H. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
The changing face of the English National Health Service: new providers, markets and morality
Introduction
One significant change in the English National Health Service (NHS) has been the introduction of market mechanisms. This review will explore the following questions: should we have markets in healthcare? What is the underlying philosophy of introducing more market mechanisms into the NHS? What are the effects of this and does it change the NHS beyond anything Bevan might have imagined in 1948?
Sources of data
The review will use empirical studies, philosophical literature, bioethics discussion, policy and NHS documents.
Areas of agreement
The NHS is facing unprecedented challenges at the beginning of the 21s...
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Frith, L. Tags: Invited review Source Type: research
Editor's Choice
(Source: British Medical Bulletin)
Source: British Medical Bulletin - September 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Vetter, N. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
