Medical Bulletin 15/May/2025

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.

Researchers conducted structural brain volume analysis using data from the Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study (GROCS) and MRI scans from a separate project on working conditions. A total of 110 healthcare workers, most of them clinicians, were included in the final analysis. Of these, 32 routinely worked 52 or more hours per week—classified as long working hours—while 78 worked standard hours.

Those working longer hours tended to be younger and more highly educated and had spent less time in the workforce compared to their standard-hour counterparts. Brain volume differences were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and atlas-based analysis, both advanced neuroimaging techniques.

The results revealed significant differences in grey matter volume in key brain regions among those logging long hours. Notably, there was a 19% increase in the volume of the middle frontal gyrus—an area associated with attention, working memory, and language processing. Voxel-based morphometry also identified peak volume increases in 17 brain regions, including the superior frontal gyrus, involved in planning and decision-making, and the insula, which processes emotion and self-awareness.

While these findings suggest a potential link between overwork and changes in brain structure, the researchers caution that the study is observational and cannot establish causation. They also note that it remains unclear whether these brain changes are a result of long hours or pre-existing traits that influence work habits.

Researchers said, “While the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this pilot study, they represent a meaningful first step in understanding the relationship between overwork and brain health.”

They add, “Notably, the increased brain volumes observed in overworked individuals may reflect neuroadaptive responses to chronic occupational stress, although the exact mechanisms remain speculative.”

Reference: https://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2025/05/08/oemed-2025-110057

Oral Swab Test May Boost IVF Success and Reduce Side Effects: Study Finds

New Delhi: A simple genetic test could significantly improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) while reducing the risk of side effects from hormone therapy, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology. Researchers from Lund University, Sweden, found that matching hormone treatment to a woman’s genetic profile led to a 38% increase in the number of babies born through IVF, offering new hope for couples facing infertility.

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