Health systems failing smokers in poorest nations, say experts - University of York

A large trial tests whether free medication, cash rewards, and texts about a smoke-free future can help patients quit, regardless of their initial motivation. Study: Smoking Cessation Among Underserved Patients Referred for Lung Cancer Screening. Image Credit: New Africa  / Shutterstock

IntroductionOral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a multidimensional concept that encompasses an individual’s subjective perception of how oral health affects their daily functioning, psychological well-being, and social interactions [1]. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) has emerged as one of the most widely validated and commonly used instruments to measure OHRQoL across diverse populations and clinical settings [1, 2]. Its 14 items span seven domains (functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap) providing a comprehensive assessment of the burden of oral conditions on daily life [2]. Understanding the factors that influence OHRQoL is essential for identifying at-risk populations, designing targeted interventions, and evaluating the effectiveness of dental care. Previous research has identified sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of OHRQoL, including age, gender, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, dental attendance patterns, and oral hygiene practices [3,4,5].

Bioengineer.org news storyFor people living with HIV, modern antiretroviral therapy can suppress the virus to levels below what standard laboratory tests can detect. Yet some patients on long-term treatment experience a curious phenomenon: a single test result showing a small, transient amount of virus in the blood, followed by an immediate return to undetectable levels. These events, known as viral blips, have puzzled clinicians and researchers for years, raising questions about whether they represent harmless statistical noise, brief bursts of viral production from hidden reservoirs, or early warnings of impending treatment failure. A new nationwide Swedish study, published in BMC Infectious Diseases, offers one of the most comprehensive answers to date. Drawing on the Swedish national InfCareHIV cohort, researchers analyzed data from 4,210 treatment-naïve adults who began antiretroviral therapy from 1 January 2007 onward, with follow-up data extracted through 30 September 2020. The median observation time was 5.5 years, with some individuals followed for as long as 13.7 years.

European Medical Journal news storyPeople living with HIV may experience subtle changes in heart muscle function even when conventional measures of cardiac performance remain normal, according to findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Researchers identified significantly impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) among people with HIV compared with HIV-uninfected individuals, despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in both groups. The findings suggest that speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) could provide additional information about early myocardial dysfunction in this population. Read the full news story here.