Here are the top medical news for the day:
Can Long Working Hours Alter Brain Structure?
New Delhi: Working long hours could lead to structural changes in the brain, particularly in regions linked to emotional regulation and executive functions like memory and problem-solving, according to preliminary research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. The study adds to growing evidence that overwork poses serious health risks, potentially extending to cognitive and emotional well-being.
Previous research has linked prolonged work hours to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and mental health problems. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that overwork claims more than 800,000 lives globally each year. While the behavioural and psychological effects of overwork are relatively well documented, this new study explores the less-understood neurological and anatomical impacts.
Current IVF treatments rely heavily on hormone therapy to stimulate egg maturation—an approach that carries risks. Up to 75% of IVF attempts fail, and around 20% of women experience side effects, some severe enough to require emergency care.
To personalise treatment and improve outcomes, the researchers analysed data from 1,466 women undergoing IVF at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö. Women with endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were excluded. The team focused on variations in the FSH receptor (FSHR) gene, which influences how the body responds to follicle-stimulating hormone, a key player in egg maturation.
The study revealed that women with a specific FSHR gene variant responded better to biological hormone treatments, while others benefited more from synthetic alternatives. Tailoring hormone therapy to a woman’s genetic makeup resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rates.
To make this approach practical and cost-effective, the team developed a simple oral swab test that determines the most suitable hormone treatment within an hour. The result is visible to the naked eye as a pink or yellow color. The test is expected to be commercially available by early 2026.
"We see an increase in the number of pregnancies and a relative number of 38% more babies born among women who received hormone therapy that matched their gene variation compared with those who did not. This means that for every 1,000 women undergoing IVF treatment, the equivalent of four more school classes are born: 110 more babies," says Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman, professor at Lund University who led the research. She has been researching fertility in both men and women for many years.
Researchers hope the test will improve IVF outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and spare women unnecessary physical and emotional strain.
References: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/higher-success-rate-using-simple-oral-swab-test-ivf
Chronic Illness May Double Risk of Depression
New Delhi: People with multiple long-term physical health conditions face a significantly higher risk of developing depression, according to a new study published in Communications Medicine. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that certain combinations of chronic illnesses, particularly cardiometabolic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, can more than double the likelihood of a future depression diagnosis.
Using data from over 142,000 participants in the UK Biobank, the study examined how clusters of physical illnesses influence the risk of depression. Participants, aged 37 to 73, had at least one chronic physical condition but no prior history of depression. Over a 10-year follow-up, researchers tracked depression diagnoses and used statistical clustering techniques to analyze patterns in physical illness profiles.
The results revealed that people with the most complex health conditions—those without a single dominant illness but instead a mix of various issues—had the highest risk of developing depression. This group was followed closely by those with both diabetes and heart disease, as well as individuals suffering from chronic lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Liver and bowel conditions were also linked to an increased depression risk.
Notably, women with joint and bone disorders, such as arthritis, showed a heightened vulnerability to depression, a pattern less prominent in men. In the highest-risk groups, approximately one in 12 individuals developed depression within a decade, compared to about one in 25 among those without multimorbidity.
The study underscores the urgent need for healthcare systems to adopt integrated care models that consider both physical and mental health. While biological factors likely contribute, the researchers emphasize the role of social and systemic issues—such as healthcare access, socioeconomic stress, and the emotional burden of chronic illness—in driving poor mental health outcomes.
Lauren DeLong, lead author and PhD student at the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics, said: "We saw clear associations between physical health conditions and the development of depression, but this study is only the beginning. We hope our findings inspire other researchers to investigate and untangle the links between physical and mental health conditions."
Reference: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/multiple-chronic-illnesses-could-double-risk-of-depression
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