Articles

662 entries

Clinical reviews and commentary

Referral Criteria for Specialist Palliative Care for Patients With DementiaWith dementia on the rise, palliative care teams offer vital support for symptoms, hospitalisations & quality of life.→
Regional Analgesia Techniques for Postoperative Pain After Breast Cancer SurgeryRegional analgesia is integral to managing postoperative pain after breast cancer surgery, despite inherent risks.→
Relationship between physical activity and behaviour challenges of adolescents in South AfricaThe adolescent period of life, from 10 years to 19 years, where people transition from childhood to adulthood, is a critical phase of human development, particularly for laying the foundations for good health and life outcomes. As adolescence is a period of rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth, the related pubertal tempo, which is the rate of transition to adulthood, has implications for adolescent mood and behaviour, often leading to a myriad of emotional, conduct, hyperactivity, peer problem, and anti-social behavioural disorders.→
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (Frequently Asked Questions)RSV is a common virus. In most countries, RSV is seasonal. In South Africa, the RSV season happens each year from February to May (before the influenza season). season).→
Restless leg syndrome may increase Parkinson's disease riskRestless leg syndrome is a sleep and movement disorder that impacts many people in the United States alone.→
Ringworm (Frequently Asked Questions)Ringworm (tinea) is a highly contagious fungal infection of skin, hair, or nails, causing itchy rashes, discolored nails, or hair loss.→
Rise in childhood obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to lifelong health consequencesA dramatic increase in child obesity levels during the pandemic is set to cost the UK over £8 billion according to NIHR researchers.→
Road traffic accidents, still a challenge in South AfricaAs the year ends, South Africa faces a surge in road traffic accidents (RTAs), a global public health crisis. Despite safety efforts, fatalities remain high, with 11,883 deaths in 2023. Key causes include speeding, distracted driving, and inadequate enforcement, highlighting a dire need for improved preventative measures.→
Robotic-Assisted Primary Malignant Bone Tumour Resection60% of bone cancer patients lose limbs—robotic surgery could change that, but ortho oncology lags behind.→
Role of Human Infection Challenge Studies (HICs) in Drug Development for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)HICs are vital for RSV drug development, providing crucial insights into viral load and symptoms to accelerate new treatments.→
Rotavirus Infection (Frequently Asked Questions)Rotavirus strikes kids hardest peaks May to September in SA. Spreads easily via hands, toys & contaminated surfaces.→
SAHPRA Approves First WHO EUL Mpox Test KitSAHPRA, leveraging the WHO's Emergency Use Listing and Prequalification assessment through a "reliance process," has approved the first mpox in vitro diagnostic, a crucial step for global access to monkeypox testing.→
SAHPRA Fast-Tracks Access to Critical Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccines to Protect South Africa’s LivestockSAHPRA confirms that it has granted Section 21 authorisation for the importation of the Dollvet Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine with conditions and is currently assessing an additional application for the same vaccine.→
SAHPRA Recalls Affected batches of Citro-Soda Regular Following Safety ConcernsThe recall follows the identification of a potential risk of foreign material contamination during an inspection conducted at the Adcock Ingram Clayville, Johannesburg, manufacturing facility.→
SAHPRA Signs MoU With Medicines Control Authority Of ZimbabweThe MoU between SAHPRA and MCAZ will allow the regulators to develop a cooperative partnership towards ensuring access to safe, quality, and effective health products in the respective countries.→
SAHPRA clarifies the benefits and risks of medroxyprogesterone acetateSAHPRA Issues Warning: Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) Products to Include Meningioma Risk—What You Need to Know!→
SAHPRA joins the Medical Device Single Audit ProgrammeSAHPRA joins global Medical Device Single Audit Programme to boost oversight and streamline regulation of medical devices.→
SAHPRA recalls a batch of YAZ Plus contraceptives due to a quality issueSAHPRA Alert: Faulty YAZ Plus Contraceptive Batch Found—Incorrect Tablets Could Risk Effectiveness! Check Your Pack Now!→
SAHPRA to brief media on the recall of specified batches of Citro-Soda Regular amid safety concernsThe recall of specified batches of Citro-Soda Regular amid safety concerns.→
SARS-CoV-2 paediatric chest X-ray findings during the Omicron variant waveThe primary objective was to identify key chest X-ray findings in the South African paediatric population testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron era.→
Sacubitril/Valsartan in Pediatric Heart Failure (PANORAMA-HF): A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind TrialFirst Pediatric HF Trial: Sacubitril/Valsartan vs. Enalapril—How Do These Heart Failure Treatments Stack Up?→
Safeguarding healthcare in conflict: SAMA’s suspension of relations with the Israeli Medical AssociationThe South African Medical Association (SAMA)’s suspension of relations with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA) poses a practical question for wartime healthcare: what does neutrality require of medical associations?→
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw OystersRaw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time of year. Cook oysters before eating to reduce your risk of food poisoning.→
Say Goodbye to Unexpected Co-payments: A New Way to Handle Referrals on EMGuidanceHelp your patients avoid co-pay surprises. The Refer tool shows you which specialists and hospitals are in-network.→
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) in South Africa: What You Need to KnowSchistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a parasitic disease caused by Schistosome worms. It ranks second only to malaria in Africa and can present as acute or chronic, affecting the intestines (S. mansoni, S. japonicum) or urinary tract (S. haematobium).→
Scientists discover how a high-fat keto diet could keep your brain youngHigh-fat, low-carb eating may unlock a new way to power and protect the brain, especially for women at risk of Alzheimer’s.→
Screening to identify people with type 2 diabetes at risk of liver cancer in primary careCould Routine Cirrhosis Screening in Diabetes Patients Prevent Liver Cancer? Study Explores Cost-Effectiveness & Impact!→
Second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024Mpox Crisis Continues: Rising Cases and Global Spread Prompt WHO to Extend Public Health Emergency Status!→
Section on heritable human genome editing withdrawn from the National Health Research Ethics Council GuidelinesThe National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) of South Africa has withdrawn section 4.3.2 of its 2024 guidelines on heritable human genome editing (HHGE).→
Securing our HIV response: The PEPFAR crisis in South AfricaGlobal HIV fight shaken—PEPFAR projects slashed as Trump’s aid freeze hits 90% of USAID partnerships.→
Sedentary Behaviour of Pregnant Women in South AfricaThis study addresses the lack of data on sedentary behavior in pregnant women in South Africa's Eastern Cape, a global health concern with maternal-infant health implications.→
Seizures identified as potential cause of sudden unexplained death in childrenIn a study designed to better understand sudden, unexpected deaths in young children, which usually occur during sleep, researchers have identified brief seizures, accompanied by muscle convulsions, as a potential cause.→
Semaglutide (Ozempic®): a comprehensive review of its pharmacology, efficacy, and safety profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight managementOzempic® & Weight Loss: Rising Use of Semaglutide Sparks Safety Concerns & Off-Label Debate in South Africa!→
Seroprevalence and molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 among apparently healthy healthcare workers and patientsSARS-CoV-2 continues to drive community and healthcare-associated transmission globally.→
Severe falciparum malaria in young children is associated with an increased risk of post-discharge hospitalizationSevere Malaria’s Hidden Toll: Post-Discharge Risks for Children Largely Undocumented—What Do We Really Know?→
Sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosisSexual dysfunction (SD) is a prevalent but underreported symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).→
Short-term menopausal hormone therapy may not affect cognitive functionNew Study Reveals: Short-Term Hormone Therapy for Menopause Has No Lasting Impact on Brain Health!→
Shortages impacting access to glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist products; increasing the potential for falsified versionsMedicine shortage is a global issue impacting all countries but disproportionality affecting low- and middle-income countries. Since September 2021, the number of molecules reported to be in shortage in two or more countries has increased 101%. Such shortages of medicines are a recognized driving force of falsified or substandard medicines and have the risk of many seeking to source medicines through nonofficial means such as via the internet.→
Silymarin for adults with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver diseaseA review on silymarin for Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) found its benefits and harms unclear. While silymarin monotherapy might reduce liver enzymes compared to placebo, the evidence is very uncertain due to small, heterogeneous studies. More high-quality trials are needed, focusing on critical outcomes like mortality and quality of life.→
Singapore sets global first by reaching WHO’s highest classification for medical device regulationThe WHO announced today that Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has achieved the highest level of regulatory performance for medical devices under WHO’s global benchmarking framework.→
Six years after COVID-19’s global alarm: Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic?As we cross this six-year mark, WHO asks countries and partners, just as we ask ourselves: Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic?→
Sonographic diagnosis of fetal eye anomalies and their association with syndromal diseasesFetal Eye Malformations: Study Proposes New Ultrasound Protocol to Improve Detection & Correlation with Syndromic Disorders!→
South Africa, PATH, and Wellcome launch world’s first AI framework for mental health at G20 Social SummitAs artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly enters the mental health space, from therapy chatbots to diagnostic tools, the world faces a critical question: can AI expand access to care without putting people at risk?→
South African Society of Anaesthesiologists: Perioperative Patient Blood Management GuidelinesNew Guideline on Board: Perioperative Blood Management Now on EMGuidance—Boost Patient Care with Expert Insights!→
South African midwives’ knowledge of the benefits of delayed umbilical cord clampingA South African study investigated midwives' knowledge of the benefits of delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC), a WHO-recommended practice.→
South African retail pharmacists’ knowledge of cannabidiol and cannabis, and training recommendationsA cross-sectional quantitative design study was conducted, using an online survey to evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes towards CBD and non-medical cannabis→
Standard cardiac rehabilitation versus personalised cardiac rehabilitation for secondary prevention after myocardial infarctionA large-scale randomised trial is comparing a personalised cardiac rehabilitation model with a standard outpatient model for patients who have recently experienced a type 1 myocardial infarction (MI).→
Standard‐ versus extended‐duration anticoagulation for primary venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in acutely ill medical patientsVTE Alert: Hospitalized Patients Face 100x Risk—Are Extended Anticoagulants the Solution to Deadly Blood Clots?→
Statement on the planned hepatitis B birth dose vaccine trial in Guinea-BissauWHO is aware that Guinea-Bissau has suspended the study pending further technical reviews.→
Stem cell injections for osteoarthritis of the kneeStem cell therapy is used for knee osteoarthritis, but its benefits, risks, and exact mechanisms remain unclear.→