Articles
662 entriesClinical reviews and commentary
- Associations of free triiodothyronine and thyroxine with blood pressure in Chinese coronary artery disease adultsPrevious evidence regarding the associations of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) with blood pressure was scarce.→
- At Nebraska Medicine, AI means 40% fewer calls need human interventionNebraska Medicine's AI-powered communication system now handles 70% of patient calls autonomously, reducing the workload on human agents by 40%.→
- At-home Breast Oncology care Delivered with EHealth solutions (ABODE) study protocolBreast cancer app aims to boost patient activation—study tests app + Fitbit vs standard care over 1 year.→
- At-home spit test better than blood test at detecting prostate cancerSpit test beats PSA? New study shows saliva-based DNA test may better predict prostate cancer risk in men.→
- Bacteria and Yeasts of Nosocomial Importance in a Radiology Department in an Academic HospitalHAIs burden healthcare; understanding microbial colonization of radiology devices in South Africa is crucial for effective infection control, a gap in current data.→
- Beyond magnesium sulphate – Rethinking magnesium’s impact on maternal and foetal health in low to middle-income countriesHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), contribute greatly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), undermining progress towards reducing maternal mortality.→
- Bicentric evaluation of employee satisfaction, patient safety and treatment qualityTransforming healthcare-related work processes through digitisation may help to address the growing demands placed on employees by enhancing user satisfaction and may have an impact on patient safety and treatment quality.→
- Biological Markers for Teen DepressionResearchers identified nine blood molecules elevated in depressed teens, predicting symptom progression and offering a path for earlier detection.→
- Break the Selective Silence on the Genocide in GazaEvidence shows a severe public health crisis in Gaza, with widespread food insecurity, malnutrition-related deaths, and a drastic decline in life expectancy. Children have been disproportionately affected, and the health-care system has suffered extensive attacks. International bodies, including UN agencies and public health associations, have recognised the situation as genocide, highlighting the ethical responsibility of the global health community.→
- Breakthrough method could dramatically cut prescription drug pricesUniversity of Maine researchers developed a new process to make HBL, a key ingredient in many medicines.→
- Breast cancer treatment advances with light-activated 'smart bomb'Breakthrough Cancer Treatment? Light-Activated Therapy Wipes Out Metastatic Breast Cancer in Mice!→
- Bronchiolitis in children ≤ 12 months during the pre-flu season of 2024: A case seriesPre-flu RSV wave hits hard—Bloemfontein sees spike in severe child cases, prompts urgent clinical review.→
- Building an artificial intelligence-enabled telehealth future for South AfricaSouth Africa's digital innovation push in healthcare is hindered by fragmented telehealth and a lack of a dedicated AI strategy. Despite COVID-19 exposing vulnerabilities and global advancements, regulatory ambiguity stifles progress. The country urgently needs a national AI-in-healthcare roadmap and a centralised digital health authority to harmonise regulations and fully leverage technology for equitable, efficient healthcare delivery, especially with NHI preparations underway.→
- CDC Adopts Individual-Based Decision-Making for Hepatitis B Immunization for Infants Born to Women Who Test Negative for Hepatitis B VirusThis recommendation reflects the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices' rigorous review of the available evidence.→
- CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose DeathU.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Drop 24%—Lowest in 4 Years, CDC Reports a Steep Decline in Fatalities!→
- CDC warns of a Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbersCDC Alert: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Mexican Cucumbers—68 Sick, 18 Hospitalized Across 19 States. Check Your Produce Now!→
- COVID-19 impact on blood donation and blood product use in Mangaung Metropolitan MunicipalityThis study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on blood donation and utilisation in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM), South Africa, between April 2018 and March 2022.→
- Calming the acid: Pharmacotherapeutic approaches to gastro-oesophageal reflux disorderGastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic disorder where gastric contents, including gastric acid, pepsin and food, enter the oesophagus, which leads to irritation and potential erosion.→
- Can Inflammatory Bowel Disease be Treated with Diet?Is food to blame for IBD? The gut-diet debate rages as patients seek answers and quick dietary fixes.→
- Can diet and waist-to-hip ratio predict brain health in older age?New study links lower waist-to-hip ratio and healthy diet in midlife to better brain and cognitive health later in life.→
- Can increasing the number and role of community pharmacists in South Africa help address rising antimicrobial resistance rates?Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global and South African issue, exacerbated by concerns about inappropriate antibiotic use in primary care.→
- Can they blame it on the final? How does medical final exam and other factors shape specialty choice?What Drives Young Doctors' Speciality Choices? Study Explores Key Factors & Exam Performance in Poland!→
- Cannabis and Related Substances Legislation and RegulationThe sale, supply and use of a medicine or scheduled substance is subject to Section 22A of the Medicines Act.→
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales colonisation in a tertiary PICU, Cape TownA South African study found that Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) colonisation is common in paediatric ICU patients. 8% were colonised on admission, 10.6% acquired it during their stay. Younger age and longer stays are linked to acquisition. This highlights the need for better screening and policy development.→
- Carboprost versus Oxytocin as the First-Line Treatment of Primary Postpartum Haemorrhage (COPE)Can carboprost beat oxytocin? New trial compares PPH treatments, side effects & cost-effectiveness.→
- Catheter Ablation vs Drug Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Nonmodifiable Recurrence Risk FactorsAre non-modifiable recurrence risk factors associated with differences in the benefit of catheter ablation compared with drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation?→
- Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) complicating post-cataract surgery: a case report and multifactorial analysisA 60-year-old woman with neovascular glaucoma and nuclear cataract developed central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) after phacoemulsification. This rare complication underscores the combined roles of vascular pathology, surgical stress (IOP fluctuations), and hypertriglyceridaemia. Close perioperative monitoring and targeted interventions could help mitigate risks in high-risk patients.→
- Characterizing the symptomatology and pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis using a nasal allergen challenge modelThe nasal allergen challenge (NAC) protocol has been used to investigate the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR) with various allergens.→
- Cheaper drinks will see a rise in noncommunicable diseases and injuriesSugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are getting cheaper, due to consistently low tax rates in most countries, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries, especially in children and young adults.→
- Chickenpox (Frequently Asked Questions)Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterised by fever and a blister-like rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). A first infection with VZV causes chickenpox.→
- Chikungunya (Frequently Asked Questions)Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes sudden fever and severe joint pain.→
- Chikungunya virus disease outbreaks in the Indian Ocean region and globally (January 2026)A global resurgence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease was observed in 2025. Major outbreaks have been documented across multiple World Health Organization (WHO) regions, including the African, South-East Asia, and the Region of the Americas.→
- Childhood stress linked to higher risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes in adultsYoung adults who reported higher stress during their teenage years to adulthood were more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors than their peers who reported less stress, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.→
- Chile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosyIn a historic public health milestone, Chile has become the first country in the Americas to be officially verified by the WHO for eliminating leprosy.→
- Chloroquine-primaquine therapeutic response and safety in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malariaColombia’s Fight Against Malaria: Study Compares Chloroquine-Primaquine Regimens for P. vivax Treatment and Safety!→
- Circular Anastrozole Availability and Therapeutic AlternativeAromatase Inhibitors Recommended for Breast Cancer: Tertiary & Quaternary EML Endorses Anastrozole, Letrozole & Exemestane!→
- Circular Publication of the NEMLC approved updates to the PHC STGs and EMLLatest PHC STGs Updates: New Reports & Guidelines from 2020-2024 Review Cycle Now Available!→
- Circular: Analogue insulin - EML status and AnnexuresTemporary EML Update: Insulin Analogue Pens Added to Ensure Access Amid Human Insulin Shortages—Valid Until 2027!→
- Circular: Biperiden 5mg per ml Injection Stock Supply Shortage and the Proposed Therapeutic AlternativeNOTICE: BIPERIDEN; 5MG/ML; INJECTION; 1 ML STOCK SUPPLY SHORTAGE AND THE PROPOSED THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVE.→
- Circular: Essential Drugs Programme Communication Platform on WhatsAppStay Updated with the Essential Drugs Programme! Join the New WhatsApp Community for Medicine Updates, Webinars & More!→
- Circular: Morphine for injection containing preservative - caution regarding routes of administrationImportant Update: Differences in Morphine Injection Formulations—Healthcare Professionals Advised to Review Guidelines!→
- Circular: Non-availability of Ethambutol 400mg TabletsNOTICE: NON-AVAILABILITY OF ETHAMBUTOL 400MG TABLETS.→
- Circular: Supply Constraints with Rifampicin-based combinations for TB treatment - interim therapeutic alternativesTB Treatment Alert: National RH Supply Shortage—Rifapentine & Isoniazid Recommended as Alternative to Prevent Disruptions!→
- Clearing the air: methods and challenges of smoking and vaping cessationVaping or quitting? SA’s smoking crisis persists—8 million smokers at risk, especially with TB and HIV rates.→
- Clinical Pearl of the Week: Strategic Dosing for Therapeutic SuccessUnderstanding different dosing strategies is fundamental to optimising patient outcomes.→
- Clinical Pearl of the Week: Teratogenic Medications in PregnancyA teratogen is any agent that can cause a congenital abnormality following foetal exposure during pregnancy.→
- Clinical Pearl: The "Pick Your Poison" of South African SerpentsIn South Africa, we do not identify the snake to treat the patient; we identify the syndrome.→
- Clinical Pearl: The "Technicolour" Side Effects of PharmacologyRecognising them prevents unnecessary workups and allows for proactive patient counselling.→
- Clinical Trial Insurance for New Clinical Trial ApplicationsThis communication aims to emphasise to various stakeholders conducting Clinical Trials the requirements for new clinical trial applications regarding liability insurance for clinical trials.→
- Clinical test may predict best rheumatoid arthritis biologic for each individualResearchers at Queen Mary, University of London, have developed a machine-learning test that predicts the optimal biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis patients with 79-85% accuracy. This innovation could revolutionise treatment by directly targeting specific disease mechanisms, potentially reducing patient suffering and avoiding ineffective treatments that compromise the immune system.→