Many high street health tests are unfit-for-purpose and need greater regulation, warn experts

Studies highlight issues over accuracy and suitability for public use Many self-tests available on the UK high street are unfit-for-purpose and need much greater regulation to ensure they are safe and reliable, conclude two studies published by The BMJ today. The findings show that most self-tests lack essential information about who should ...

2025-07-24T09:01:40+00:0024 July 2025|Press release, The BMJ|

GLP-1 diabetes drugs likely trump metformin for curbing dementia risk in type 2 diabetes

Findings suggest future guidelines prioritise drugs with dual blood glucose and neuroprotective effects GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, likely trump the widely prescribed metformin for curbing dementia risk in people with the condition, finds the largest study of its kind, published in ...

Annual UK cost of mental health disorder PTSD likely tops £40 billion

But figures based on 2020-21 data and don’t include all indirect costs Societal and financial impacts of increasingly common condition “gravely” undervalued  The annual UK cost of the mental health disorder PTSD is likely to top £40 billion, but the figures are based on 2020-1 prevalence rates—the most recently available—and ...

2025-07-23T15:22:07+00:0023 July 2025|BMJ Open, Press release|

Near tripling in US reported lidocaine local anaesthetic poisonings/deaths over past decade

Amid substantial fall in reports associated with other local anaesthetics Poisonings and deaths linked to the use of the local anaesthetic lidocaine have nearly tripled in the US over the past decade, finds an analysis of National Poison Data System (NPDS) reports, published online in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain ...

Exposing hidden influence in infant feeding advice

BMJ Investigations is our dedicated unit of specialist reporters who expose practices that risk public health and undermine trust in healthcare. Through rigorous, evidence-led reporting, the unit shines a light on issues that matter to patients, clinicians and policymakers alike. Over the past decade, our investigative journalism has unearthed research ...

Medical tourism for bariatric/weight reduction surgery needs urgent regulation

Especially as data show tourist numbers increasing despite advent of weight loss drugs Medical tourism for bariatric and weight reduction surgery needs urgent regulation to protect recipients’ health, especially as the data show that tourist numbers are increasing despite the advent of weight loss drugs, say experts in a commentary ...

2025-07-17T13:24:19+00:0016 July 2025|BMJ Global Health, Press release|

Yoga, Tai Chi, walking and jogging may be best forms of exercise for insomnia

Findings back use of exercise as primary treatment strategy for poor sleep, say researchers Yoga, Tai Chi, walking and jogging may be the best forms of exercise to improve sleep quality and ease insomnia, suggest the findings of a comparative pooled data analysis published in the online journal BMJ Evidence Based ...

Children’s social care involvement common to nearly third of UK mums who died during perinatal period

They were at heightened risk of dying from psychiatric causes and being murdered Uncoordinated appointment schedules added to the many disadvantages they already faced Changes to maternity care practice and policy now urgently required, say researchers The involvement of children’s social care services was a common factor in nearly a ...

2025-07-11T09:12:28+00:0011 July 2025|BMJ Medicine, Press release|

Nerve pain drug gabapentin linked to increased dementia, cognitive impairment risks

Six or more prescriptions associated with, respectively, 29% and 85% heightened risks And risks more than doubled in 18-64 year olds, shows large medical record study Receiving six or more prescriptions of the drug gabapentin for low back pain is associated with significantly increased risks of developing dementia and mild ...

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