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QOF 2023/24 and New Cholesterol Indicators

Cholesterol constitutes a component within the clinical domains section of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). There exist two QOF indicators concerning Cholesterol: CHOL001 – This indicator encompasses patients listed in the QOF registers for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It pertains to […]

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Short bouts of vigorous activity can reap huge benefits

A substantial cohort study suggests that for adults who cannot or do not prefer regular exercise, engaging in short bursts of vigorous activity, as simple as climbing a flight of stairs, may still significantly reduce their risk of cancer. The study, led by Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis and his team from the University of Sydney in […]

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Can a HIV drug help prevent dementia?

A common characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease and various forms of dementia is the build-up in the brain of clusters—known as aggregates—of misfolded proteins, such as huntingtin and tau. These aggregates lead to the degradation and eventual death of brain cells and the onset of symptoms. One method that our bodies use […]

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Anakinra, the elixir of youth?

Revitalizing Aging Blood System with Anti-Inflammatory Drug A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology has found that an anti-inflammatory drug used for rheumatoid arthritis may be able to reverse some of the effects of aging on the blood system in mice. The drug, called anakinra, has been shown to have rejuvenating effects on the […]

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Challenges of Treating Chronic Pain

Challenges of Treating Chronic Pain Chronic pain is a complex and difficult condition to treat despite the progress in neuroscience research over the last two decades. A recent overview by Ferreira and colleagues has added to the growing body of evidence on the use of medicines for pain, highlighting the limitations of current medical treatments. […]

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Sickle cell cure with LentiGlobin

Introduction Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects the hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is caused by a single point mutation in the gene encoding β-globin (HBB), leading to the production of sickle hemoglobin and impaired red-cell function. Patients with sickle cell disease often have vaso-occlusive events, progressive vasculopathy, and chronic hemolytic […]

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Dapagliflozin, a diabetic drug for heart failure?

Dapagliflozin is a type of medication known as a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose from the body through the urine, which can help lower blood sugar levels. Several clinical trials have been conducted to investigate the effects of […]

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Blood pressure variability: a new and unique risk factor

Blood pressure variability is a new and unique factor that is gaining more and more attention in the medical community. It refers to the fluctuation of blood pressure over time, and it can be caused by a variety of factors including stress, exercise, and even the time of day. One important aspect of blood pressure […]

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