Less lonely you feel, better will be your quality of sleep, claims study submitted for SLEEP 2024

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Less lonely you feel, better will be your quality of sleep, claims study submitted for SLEEP 2024

Researchers describe loneliness as a “urgent public health crisis” that needs to identified and treated

Better sleep, particularly in young adults is associated with lower feelings of loneliness, a new study has found. The study will be presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting.

Better sleep health was associated with lower total loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. While better sleep health was associated with lower total and emotional loneliness across ages, this association was stronger for younger adults. 

“Loneliness is an urgent public health crisis, and there is a pressing need for providers to better understand and treat it. Our results highlight the important role that sleep plays in understanding loneliness across the adult lifespan. Perhaps efforts to improve sleep health could have a beneficial effect on loneliness, especially for young people” said lead author and principal investigator Joseph Dzierzewski. “

Sleep is essential for optimum functioning of the various systems of the body. Sleep quality if associated with alertness of the brain and productivity. Lack of sleep can trigger neurological disorders over the long term. 

The study involved 2,297 adults with a mean age of 44 years, a little over half of them being men.  Participants completed an online sleep health questionnaire and loneliness scale. The researchers analyzed the results using correlation and linear regression analyses along with moderation analyses.

In 2023 an advisory from the U.S. surgeon general warned about a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. It noted that even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness.

Three yrs after infection, risk of death reduces but long COVID problems may persist

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Three yrs after infection, risk of death reduces but long COVID problems may persist

COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized within the first 30 days after infection face a 29% higher risk of death in the third year 

Many studies have shown that long term effects of SARS-CoV2 infection can persist for years but new research has shown that the risk of death from these symptoms reduces after the three year mark. 

 

US researchers have reported in Nature Medicine that COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized within the first 30 days after infection face a 29% higher risk of death in the third year compared with people who have not had the virus. However, the increased risk of death diminishes significantly one year after a SARS-CoV-2 infection among people who were not hospitalized for the virus. 

“We aren’t sure why the virus’s effects linger for so long,” said senior author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a Washington University clinical epidemiologist and a global leader in long COVID research. “Possibly it has to do with viral persistence, chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction or all the above. We tend to think of infections as mostly short-term illnesses with health effects that manifest around the time of infection. Our data challenges this notion. I feel COVID-19 continues to teach us — and this is an important new lesson — that a brief, seemingly innocuous or benign encounter with the virus can still lead to health problems years later.”

Al-Aly’s prior research has documented COVID-19’s damage to nearly every human organ, contributing to diseases and conditions affecting the lungs, heart, brain, and the body’s blood, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal (GI) systems.

Such studies with longer follow-up are limited, said Al-Aly, a nephrologist who treats patients at the Washington University-affiliated John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in midtown St. Louis. “Addressing this knowledge gap is critical to enhance our understanding of long COVID and will help inform care for people suffering from long COVID.”

 

Truenat machines, handheld X-rays get Global Fund thumbs up at World Health Assembly

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Truenat machines, handheld X-rays get Global Fund thumbs up at World Health Assembly

Health secretary Apurva Chandra and the Indian delegation met Global Fund on the sidelines of the WHA in Geneva

 

India’s adoption of technology for its tuberculosis control efforts such as the indigenous Truenat machine and hand-held x-ray devices received thumbs up from the Global Fund which told the Indian delegation that these were ideal for the world to emulate.

The conversation happened in Geneva when Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary held a bilateral meeting with the Global Fund on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly. Developed indigenously, Truenat is a polymerase chain reaction based test that has now replaced its more expensive foreign versions. During the COVID19 pandemic the technology was also used widely for COVID19 testing. The Truenat Tcehology is owned by the Indian firm Molbio Diagnostics and was the first molecular test to be recommended by WHO for the detection of TB and rifampicin resistance . It is very suitable for resource constrained settings as it can be used at sites with minimal infrastructure. The equipment has built-in batteries and can be used at temperatures as high as 40°C. 

The Union Health Secretary acknowledged and appreciated the Global Fund’s continued support towards the elimination of three diseases in India, namely, TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria. He highlighted that most of the investment is in capacity building, technical support and lab system strengthening of the program which lead to better sustainability. He also called upon the Global Fund to continue its support to the TB program to strength the capacities of the public health systems. The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria invests $4 million per year towards this goal.

The Global Fund appreciated India’s commitment to eliminate TB by creating mass awareness, addressing stigma and intensive monitoring of programs using digital technologies. It also noted that Indian innovative practices in TB program like the Truenat machines, hand held X-ray devices which can work in robust environments, are ideal for the world to emulate.

 

 

 

 

AI-based lifestyle coach can help reduce blood pressure in chronic hypertensives 

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AI-based lifestyle coach can help reduce blood pressure in chronic hypertensives 

The reductions in blood pressure were comparable with those achieved through the intervention of physicians

The uses of artificial intelligence in healthcare are still being explored and new vistas are opening up every day. One such use is in the control of chronic conditions. 

Researchers from the University of California have reported a fully digital, autonomous, and artificial intelligence (AI)–based lifestyle coaching program can achieve meaningful BP improvements and high engagement for patients with hypertension while substantially reducing clinician workloads. The programme delivered weekly lifestyle recommendations that had been personalised based on the habits of an individual participant.The guidance supported the participant’s daily efforts to improve BP through behavioral changes that targeted physical activity, sleep hygiene, stress management, and dietary choices. 

“Participants experienced a statistically significant decrease of 8.1 mm Hg and 5.1 mm Hg in SBP and DBP, respectively, after 24 weeks. Furthermore, this improvement was more pronounced in participants who started the program with stage-2 hypertension, achieving a 14.2 mm Hg and 8.1 mm Hg reduction in SBP and DBP, respectively. Reducing BP holds clinical significance not only for individuals with stage 2 hypertension but also for those with elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension,” the researchers reported. SBP stands for systolic blood pressure which is the pressure experienced by the heart in a state of contraction and DBP stands for diastolic blood pressure which is the pressure experienced by the heart in a state of relaxation.

The observed reductions were at par with hypertension management though the intervention of physicians. “To address the challenges of poor patient engagement due to generic, nonpersonalized lifestyle guidance and limited scalability of care due to human coaching models, we propose an AI-driven, autonomous, precise lifestyle coaching program for patients with hypertension. Patients who enrolled in the program experienced a significant improvement in BP. The program maintained a high engagement rate with minimal intervention from the care team. As the burden of hypertension increases globally, the necessity to develop new strategies to achieve hypertension control at scale is greater than ever. An AI-based, autonomous approach to hypertension-related lifestyle coaching can increase scalability and accessibility to effective BP management, ultimately improving the cardiovascular health of our community,” the researchers wrote.

AMR among crucial items on WHA agenda, world leaders endorse position paper from Japan

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AMR among crucial items on WHA agenda, world leaders endorse position paper from Japan

The paper commits to accelerate action in the Asia Pacific region on antimicrobial resistance

Health leaders from countries and areas of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions today sounded the alarm and committed to work together to more effectively tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They endorsed a joint position paper on AMR in the human health sector in the Asia-Pacific region at an event held on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

 Initiated by the Government of Japan, and endorsed by a total of 26 Asia-Pacific countries namely, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu, the joint position paper expresses the determination of leaders from Asia and the Pacific to accelerate action on AMR in the human health sector over the next five years. To foster collaboration and partnership with the rest of the world, the paper will be taken to the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in New York in September 2024.

Ms Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, described the action taken today: “This week, health ministers at the World Health Assembly will discuss how to accelerate the response to AMR. By making this commitment today, and taking it to the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR in September, countries from Asia and the Pacific are making clear that they recognize the urgency of action, and they are demonstrating commitment to drive change from our part of the world.”

Rising threat

The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials − especially antibiotics − in humans, animals and plants are driving the rise of drug-resistant infections. This makes common infections harder to treat and medical procedures and treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, much riskier.

 

Other factors that contribute to the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections include a lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and inadequate infection prevention and control. These promote the spread of microbes that are resistant to treatment in health facilities and communities.

 

AMR is a rising threat to health and development globally and to countries and areas of the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions − home to nearly half of the world’s population. In 2019, AMR was the cause of an estimated 700 000 deaths in the two regions, representing more than half of the global deaths caused by AMR. Beyond the immediate threat to human health, AMR also threatens global and national economies. For instance, unless it can be effectively addressed, countries and areas of the WHO Western Pacific Region are expected to face excess economic costs of up to US$ 148 billion due to AMR between 2020 and 2030.

  

 

Babies fed peanuts early on do not develop allergies in later life

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Babies fed peanuts early on do not develop allergies in later life

The findings of a study from King’s College London suggest that early exposure may be an effective prevention strategy against peanut allergy

It is among the commonest allergies and new research now suggests that controlled exposure early on in life could protect against peanut allergy.

Feeding children peanuts regularly from infancy to age five reduced the rate of peanut allergy in adolescence by 71%, even after many years when the children ate or avoided peanut as desired, shows new research from King’s College London. The paper was published in the journal NEJM Evidence.

Lead investigator Professor Gideon Lack from King’s College London said: “Decades of advice to avoid peanuts has made parents fearful of introducing peanuts at an early age. The evidence is clear that early introduction of peanut in infancy induces long term tolerance and protects children from allergy well into adolescence. This simple intervention will make a remarkable difference to future generations and see peanut allergies plummet.”

The new trial builds on the results of the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) clinical trial and is called the LEAP-TRIO trial. In the first trial, half of the participants were asked to regularly consume peanut from infancy until age 5 years, while the other half were asked to avoid peanuts during that period. Researchers found that early introduction of peanut reduced the risk of peanut allergy at age 5 by 81%.

The investigators followed up both groups from age 6 to age 12 or older. In that period, children could choose to eat peanut in whatever amount and frequency they wanted. They found that 15.4% of participants from the early childhood peanut-avoidance group and 4.4% from the early childhood peanut-consumption group had peanut allergy at age 12 or older. These results show that regular, early peanut consumption reduce the risk of peanut allergy in adolescence by 71% compared to early peanut avoidance.

Professor George Du Toit, Co-Lead Investigator from King’s College London said: “This is a safe and highly effective intervention which can be implemented as early as 4 months of age. The infant needs to be developmentally ready to start weaning and peanut should be introduced as a soft pureed paste or as peanut puffs.”

 

Do fire audit by June 8 and submit compliance report, Delhi govt to hospitals

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Do fire audit by June 8 and submit compliance report, Delhi govt to hospitals

Directive comes after fire tragedy in Delhi hospital where seven babies were killed. The hospital had been operating with an expired licence

Days after seven babies were killed after a devastating fire in a hospital in East Delhi, Delhi government has asked all hospitals under its jurisdiction to conduct a fire audit by June 8 and submit a compliance report to the state health department.

State health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said: “We had earlier asked hospitals to do fire audits and banked on self compliance. But now we have asked all hospitals to conduct fire audits and submit compliance report to the health department giving all information about the number and status of smoke detectors, sprinklers and all other fire fighting equipment. It is summer and the use of several ACs round the clock often causes a lot of load, increasing fire hazards,” Bharadwaj said. 

Seven babies died when the New Born Baby care Hospital saw a major fire break out. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the hospital was operating without a legal licence. Its no objection certificate from the municipal authorities had expired but operations continued without renewal. Jitendra Singh Shunty who was one of the rescuers, told India Today: “This was not a hospital. It aws a nursing care centre for premature babies. Their facilities were very poor, they used to sell oxygen cylinders. The cylinders we normally use have a far lower pressure but they were using cylinders where the gas was stored at such a high pressure that when fire broke out it burst like an explosive.

The Delhi government has also recommended several staff members and neighbours who heroically tried to save patients, for bravery awards. 

How to stay cool and avoid heat strokes during this harsh summer

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How to stay cool and avoid heat strokes during this harsh summer

If it can happen to Shahrukh Khan, it can happen to you. But, it is easily preventable.

As large parts of India experience record heat, superstar Shahrukh Khan’s recent heat stroke in Ahmedabad has driven home the high risks associated with this intense heat. That is why it is important to follow the basic precautions that are essential for physiological equilibrium to be maintained during this time.

The ministry of health and family welfare, government of India in a series of directions has laid down the importance of basic measures like drinking enough water, avoiding high protein foods and trying to restrict outdoor activities during early morning or late evening as far as possible. It is imperative, the government said for employers to provide their staff with facilities such as drinking water scheduling outdoor or strenuous jobs during the cooler periods of the day and increasing the frequency of rest breaks. 

 

Courtesy: @MOHFW_INDIA X handle

Doctors say keeping the body hydrated is very important. This can be done through drinking adequate quantities of water, butter milk etc and also increase electrolyte intake which helps the body retain water. Seasonal fruits are a good way to beat the heat as are options such as curd rice and rice with water such as panta bhat and pokhal bhat. Feeling faint or exhausted or dizzy, headaches, nausea and vomiting can be symptoms of the body not being able to cope with excessive heat. A heat stroke happens when the body is no longer able to carry out its normal cooling mechanisms such as sweating, the skin starts feeling hot and dry and there may even be loss of consciousness. This is a condition that is easily reversible but can be fatal if left unattended.

Agencies across the world are also issuing guidelines about how to beat the summer heat with the US Centres for Disease Control advocating loose fitting clothes. The US body in fact advised people to go visit malls in case their homes do not have airconditioning.

 

Weight loss drug can protect against kidney diseases, claims new research

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Weight loss drug can protect against kidney diseases, claims new research

Semaglutide can halt the decline in kidney health associated with obesity, scientists tell the 61st ERA Congress

Researchers presenting the results of the SELECT (Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients with Overweight or Obesity) trial told the 61st ERA Congress that diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide can slow down the decline in kidney health associated with obesity.

The SELECT trial has a cohort of 17,604 participants who on an average, were followed up for three and half years. Professor Helen M. Colhoun, lead study author, who holds the AXA Research Fund endowed Chair in Medical Informatics and Epidemiology at the University of Edinburghcommented, “By addressing key markers of kidney health, semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly may contribute to a significant reduction in the risk of kidney-related complications, including chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. This could lead to improved management of comorbidities and, ultimately, enhance the quality of life for individuals with obesity.” The 61st ERA Congress is taking place between 23-26 May 2024, both virtually and live in Stockholm, Sweden

Results showed that 22% less people in the trial arm receiving the drug developed kidney problems compared to the placebo arm. The events based on which the progress of kidney decline was estimated included death from kidney causes, initiation of chronic kidney replacement therapy, significant (≥ 50%) decline in kidney function, or onset of persistent macroalbuminuria – the condition in which large quantities of the protein albumin is secreted in the urine.

The study also assessed the impact of semaglutide on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function in removing waste and excess water from the blood through urine. The findings indicated a significantly lesser decline in eGFR among semaglutide recipients compared to the placebo group

 

Long history of medical gaslighting of women’s pain, cautions Lancet editorial

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Long history of medical gaslighting of women’s pain, cautions Lancet editorial

Inconclusive evidence on the perception that women seek medical care earlier for pain

One of the best known medical journals in the world has called out the tendency of physicians to dismiss women’s pain experiences without appropriately investigating and treating them. An editorial in The Lancet Rheumatology has said it is time to end this practice.

“Medical gaslighting of women’s pain has a long history. Medical gaslighting—when a patient feels that their symptoms are inappropriately dismissed as minor or primarily psychological by a health-care professional—can have detrimental effects, from increasing morbidity and mortality, to symptom distress and worsening mental health. The evidence supports this notion, with women more likely to be referred to psychiatrists and psychologists, whereas men are more likely to undergo investigations for an underlying biological cause,” the editorial says.

There is inconclusive evidence, the magazine pointed out of the perception that women seek medical care earlier for pain. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 recognises that women have higher incidence of back and musculoskeletal pains and headaches as compared to men.The editorial also pointed out that globally in research subjects, women continue to be significantly underrepresented, leading to poorer understanding of the reasons for their pain and poorer management of that pain.

“It is time to start listening to women and their pain experiences. With more inclusive research, and a move towards gender responsiveness, not simply sex disaggregation, we are confident that the root causes of these disparities in people with chronic pain can be eliminated,” the editorial emphasised.

 

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