Articles

662 entries

Clinical reviews and commentary

Diphtheria situational report (week 48 of 2025)Respiratory diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable illness caused by toxigenic C. diphtheriae (and, more rarely, C. ulcerans or C. pseudotuberculosis) and can occur in persons of all ages.→
Diphtheria situational report (week 52 of 2025)Respiratory diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable illness caused by toxigenic C. diphtheriae (and more rarely C. ulcerans or C. pseudotuberculosis), and can occur in persons of all ages.→
Diphtheria situational report (week 7 of 2026)The majority of confirmed cases and carriers (77%, 119/155) were from the Western Cape, comprising 69 respiratory diphtheria cases and 50 asymptomatic carriers.→
Diphtheria situational report (week 8 of 2026)Respiratory diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable illness caused by toxigenic C. diphtheriae (and more rarely C. ulcerans or C. pseudotuberculosis), and can occur in persons of all ages.→
Direct stroke unit access versus a hub-and-spoke model with telemedicine-assisted CTTimely access to reperfusion therapy is critical in acute ischaemic stroke, with intravenous thrombolysis within the first 60 min (“golden hour”) yielding the greatest clinical benefit.→
Dispelling the Myths: Electronic Prescribing in South Africa - Clarity, Compliance, and Patient SafetyUnderstand South Africa's legal requirements for electronic prescriptions and how EMGuidance Script ensures compliance and patient safety.→
Doctors just found a way to slow one of the deadliest prostate cancersA targeted drug combo slashes prostate cancer progression and ushers in a new era of personalised treatment.→
Doxycycline Now More Accessible for Malaria ChemopreventionMalaria prevention made easier—doxycycline reclassified as Schedule 2 in SA, no prescription needed.→
Drivers of COVID-19 infections: Perspectives of managers in the Gauteng Department of Health, South AfricaThis study investigated the perceptions and experiences of Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) senior managers about factors that contributed to the high incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Gauteng.→
Drug for diabetes and kidney disease may also lower heart attack, stroke risksGame-Changing Discovery: Common Diabetes & Kidney Disease Drug Also Cuts Stroke & Heart Attack Risk!→
Drug treatment for myotoniaUpdated review explores treatments for myotonia—a disabling muscle stiffness in genetic disorders—highlighting key therapies.→
Dual combination therapy versus long‐acting bronchodilators alone for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCOPD is a global lung disease marked by airflow obstruction and driven by diverse factors like smoking, TB history, and pollution.→
Duo biologic therapy using mepolizumab and omalizumab in refractory ABPAAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) presents with a wide range of symptom severity.→
EHRs and agentic AI: Balancing human and automated collaborationAI is moving beyond listening—HIMSS25 highlights a future of smart agents automating clinical and admin tasks with minimal input.→
EMGuidance Script for OrdersEMGuidance Script can ensure compliance and help streamline your medicine ordering process for your practice, clinic, ambulance or pharmacy, please reach out to us on script@emguidance.com→
Early menopause and HRT among hormonal factors linked to heightened rheumatoid arthritis riskResearchers are reporting that hormonal changes related to menopause and hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.→
Early treatment versus expectant management of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus for preterm infantsEarly pharmacological treatment for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hs-PDA) in preterm infants shows little to no difference in mortality or major morbidities like chronic lung disease. While it increases pharmacotherapy, it only trivially reduces invasive closure. Ibuprofen's very early use may even increase mortality in extremely preterm infants.→
Early versus late tracheostomy in people with multiple traumaThis review was initiated during the development of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies guideline on intensive care after multiple trauma in people with multiple trauma in the ICU.→
Eating Beans Daily May Help Reduce Inflammation, and Lower CholesterolNew research shows daily chickpeas and black beans significantly improve inflammation and cholesterol in people with prediabetes.→
Eating more ultra-processed foods linked to higher Crohn's disease riskA new study provides more information on how eating ultra-processed foods physically impacts the gastrointestinal system, leading to IBD-related issues.→
Eating takeout food too often may increase cardiovascular disease riskThere appears to be an association between diets high in takeout food and systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.→
Effect of carnosine or beta-alanine supplementation therapy for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitusCarnosine and beta-alanine have shown potential in the management of chronic conditions.→
Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisationSA’s cannabis laws pose new workplace challenges—study urges tailored THC thresholds & ethical testing for safer policies.→
Effectiveness of islatravir post-exposure prophylaxis after intravenous challenge with simian immunodeficiency virus in rhesus macaquesA study on rhesus macaques found that islatravir (ISL), an NRTTI, effectively prevented SIV infection when given 24 hours after exposure. Two weekly doses provided complete protection, suggesting its potential as a long-acting oral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, warranting further research.→
Effects of Combinations of Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for Postpartum HaemorrhagePPH , a major cause of maternal mortality, lacks a definitively effective combination of diagnostic and treatment strategies.→
Efficacy and Safety of Finerenone Across the Ejection Fraction Spectrum in Heart Failure With Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection FractionCan Finerenone Revolutionize Heart Failure Treatment? FINEARTS-HF Study Examines Impact Across Ejection Fractions!→
Efficiency and Quality of Generative AI–Assisted Radiograph ReportingThis study examined generative AI's impact on radiologists reporting for plain radiographs. Results showed a 15.5% boost in documentation efficiency with AI assistance, maintaining report quality and accuracy. The AI also effectively detected a significant pneumothorax. This indicates that AI-radiologist collaboration can improve clinical care.→
Emergency contraception in primary health careSouth Africa faces immense challenges from unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, exacerbated by high sexual assault rates. Easy access to emergency contraception (EC) is crucial, yet awareness among clinicians remains low. This hinders effective management, contributing to high termination of pregnancy rates and maternal deaths. Equipping primary care clinicians with EC knowledge is imperative for better outcomes.→
Emergency medical services in the Limpopo province: Is there a need for change and is trauma different?Prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) may reduce morbidity and mortality.→
Environmental ciprofloxacin triggers pregnancy lossApproximately 15%–25% pregnant women experience miscarriage and 1%–5% suffer from recurrent miscarriage worldwide.→
Equitable Access to Diagnostic Resources Means One Xpert-Ultra Cartridge for all Inpatients with HIV Being Investigated for TuberculosisSputum scarcity in AHD patients hampers TB detection, GeneXpert Ultra accurate, but not accessible to all.→
Ethnic differences in Long COVID diagnosed in primary care in England (2020–2022)Long COVID is defined as the presence of symptoms lasting more than a month after acute COVID-19 disease without another known cause.→
Evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of manual digital meibomian gland compression in meibomian gland dysfunctionMeibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) stands as a prevalent chronic ocular disorder, primarily characterised by the obstruction of meibomian gland ducts and alterations in the quality or quantity of their secretions.→
Evaluation of wastage of commonly used anaesthetic agents in the operating theatres of a South African teaching hospitalReducing anaesthetic drug wastage in SA can cut costs and improve care—clinician awareness is key to safer, smarter use.→
Examining muscle synergy composition and segmental coordination during overground walking in individuals with a rotationplasty about the kneeA study on rotationplasty, a limb-salvage surgery repurposing the ankle as a new knee, investigated lower body kinematics and muscle activity during walking in nine participants.→
Excess HIV Infections and Costs Associated With Reductions in HIV Prevention Services in the USChanges in policies, especially those that increase out-of-pocket costs of PrEP, risk reversing progress toward ending the HIV epidemic.→
Exclusive Speaker Session at The GP Expo 2025!Unlock the Future of Digital Prescriptions! Join Dr. Mohammed Dalwai at SAPHEX 2025 to Explore the Legalities of E-Scripting!→
Experience with hip denervation in non-operative hip fracture care for frail older patientsHip fractures in frail elderly: Non-op care gains ground as end-of-life option—shared decisions key.→
Exploring the efficacy of deep brain stimulation in pediatric neurological disordersDeep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as an important therapeutic intervention.→
Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence chatbots in prosthodontics educationCan AI Chatbots Ace Dentistry Exams? Study Evaluates Their Performance on Prosthodontics Questions!→
Extra nutrients during pregnancy may reduce childhood obesity riskTaking a nutritional supplement before and during pregnancy could promote healthy weight in childhood, an NIHR-supported study has found.→
Factors affecting readmission of adolescent mental healthcare users to a psychiatric hospitalAdolescent mental illness is increasing worldwide, leading to more admissions to psychiatric institutions. Many adolescents may require multiple readmissions, which is disruptive to their holistic well-being and costly for the healthcare sector.→
Factors influencing surgical management and outcomes of colonic traumaColonic trauma is a major clinical challenge, particularly in resource-constrained conflict settings.→
Failure rate of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria rule for adults 35 years or youngerCan PERC-35 Rule Cut Unnecessary Scans for Pulmonary Embolism? Study Evaluates Its Accuracy in Young Patients!→
Fast-fail' AI blood Test Could Steer Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Away from Ineffective TherapiesJohns Hopkins developed ARTEMIS-DELFI, an AI tool detecting tumor DNA in blood, proving effective for quickly assessing pancreatic cancer treatment response.→
Feasibility and structure of a state hospital botulinum neurotoxin clinic for clozapine-induced sialorrheaClozapine is uniquely effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.→
Fibroids may be a risk factor for heart disease, study suggestsUterine fibroids are common and affect many women. While some do not experience symptoms when they have fibroids, others have symptoms such as heavy periods, pelvic pressure, or pain.→
Flaviviruses of public health concern in South Africa: Present and future threatsThe resurgence and widespread transmission of flaviviruses over the past few decades are particularly concerning.→
Fluid overload in the ICURecent studies have shown a relationship between fluid overload and adverse outcomes.→
Foodborne Diseases and Gastroenteritis Outbreak (Frequently Asked Questions)Notifiable foodborne outbreaks: two or more people linked to contaminated food/drink, caused by infection or toxins.→