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Popular Articles

One In Three Detected Breast Cancers Is Overdiagnosed
Researchers conclude in a paper just published on bmj.com that one in three breast cancers detected in a population with a public breast screening program is overdiagnosed.

Fragrance Allergens In Baby Bathwater
A group of chemists from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) has developed a method to quantify the fragrance allergens found in baby bathwater. The researchers have analysed real samples and detected up to 15 allergen compounds in cosmetics and personal hygiene products.
News of the day
Black Women More Likely To Have Vitamin D Deficiency, Bacterial Vaginosis, Study Finds
Black women are nearly three times as likely as white women to have a vitamin D deficiency, which is linked with an increased risk of the vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Nutrition, the New York Times reports. Black women likely have lower levels of vitamin D because the higher amount of pigment in their skin prevents the body from absorbing the vitamin.For the study, researchers led by Lisa Bodnar, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, examined 209 white pregnant women and 260 black pregnant women at a Pittsburgh clinic. More than half of the women had low levels of vitamin D, the study found. Women whose vitamin D levels were 50 nanomoles or less had a 26% increased risk of BV, while women whose vitamin levels were less than 20 nanomoles had a 65% increased risk of the infection. About 52% of black women had the infection, compared with 27% of white women, the study found (Bakalar, New York Times, 5/26). The study found that 93% of women with BV had low vitamin D levels and that BV prevalence decreased as vitamin levels increased.In addition, although black women were more likely to have BV, white women who had low levels of vitamin D were as likely to have the infection as black women. Poor diets and obesity also contributed to a vitamin deficiency. Bodnar noted that black women are less likely than white women to meet dietary recommendations for vitamin D. Bodnar recommended that women discuss their level of vitamin D with their physicians and that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin, which typically includes vitamin D.According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bodnar"s research team has received NIH funding to conduct a study of whether vitamin D deficiency in women increases the risk of poor birth outcomes and whether high infant mortality among blacks can be attributed to factors such as obesity (Templeton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/23).
Public Health

Smoking Ban 'Has Potential For Positive Changes In Mental Health Units'

New research published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, shows most mental health settings in England have faced challenges in introducing smoke-free policies. However, the results also suggest that the policies can bring about positive changes, including behavioural changes in patients. Researchers at the University of Nottingham"s Centre for Tobacco Control Studies surveyed all 72 English NHS trusts providing mental health in-patient services. In addition, telephone interviews were conducted with 7 trusts and site visits made to a further 5 trust. According to the survey responses, most trusts (91%) believed that mental health settings faced "particular challenges" in implementing smoke-free policies when compared to other settings. These included the high prevalence of smoking among service users, safety risks, and potential interactions with antipsychotic medication. But despite these challenges, almost all the trusts (92%) surveyed believed going smoke-free had been quite or very successful. Fears of an increase in aggressive or violent incidents among patients have also proved largely unfounded. The in-depth telephone and face-to-face interviews conducted with trusts revealed a number of positive effects. Writing in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the study authors said: "One respondent reported that patients were sleeping better as a result of closing smoking rooms at social gathering points where the consumption of nicotine and often caffeine had been frequent and heavy both during the days and evenings. "Another said that patients were reported to get up and out of their rooms earlier in the mornings, since they were no longer allowed to smoke indoors. Three respondents reported that individuals specifically welcomed the use of newly-created recreational spaces that had been provided in former smoking rooms, and that this was having a positive impact on their behaviour and sense of well-being." The researchers observed that "considerable efforts" have been made to implement smoke-free policies in mental health in-patient units, and overall the outcome has been positive. However, they concluded: "Challenges are widely perceived. These need to be explored further and addressed adequately to support trusts in complying with the Health Act and maximising the benefit of the law." Reference: "Implementation of smoke-free policies in mental health in-patient settings in England" Ratschen E, Britton J and McNeill A (2009) British Journal of Psychiatry, 194: 547-551 Royal College of Psychiatrists


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