Medical Bulletin 28/ January/ 2025
Here are the top medical news for the day:
Study Highlights Mental Well-being Fuels Physical Fitness
According to a recent study, the tendency to experience positive affectivity contributed to people being physically active or even increasing their activity during the COVID-19 restrictions. In contrast, depressive feelings were linked to lower physical activity. The results suggest that mental well-being can help maintain a physically active lifestyle. Mental well-being and physical activity may thus form a positive cycle. The findings are published in BMC public health.
In the study it was found that most men and women aged 60 to 88 either maintained or even increased their level of physical activity during the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants who experienced more positive affectivity had higher physical activity levels and were more likely to increase their activity during the restrictions.
Previous research evidence has shown that physical activity contributes to mental well-being. However, recent findings suggest that mental well-being can also help maintain a physically active lifestyle. Mental well-being and physical activity may thus form a positive cycle.
The study also found that experiencing depressive feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with lower levels of physical activity and a higher likelihood of reducing activity. The link between depressive feelings and lower physical activity was particularly pronounced among participants over 70. The findings suggest that different aspects of mental well-being may have varying significance for physical activity at different ages.
Reference: Savikangas, T., Kekäläinen, T., Tirkkonen, A. et al. The associations of positive and negative mental well-being with physical activity during the COVID-19 across late adulthood. BMC Public Health 24, 3288 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20803-3
Study Links ADHD Diagnosis to Reduced Life Expectancy in Adults
Adults who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be living shorter lives than they should, finds a world-first study led by UCL researchers.
The research, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, analysed anonymised primary care data from 30,029 adults across the UK with diagnosed ADHD. They then compared this group with 300,390 participants without ADHD, who were matched by age, sex, and primary care practice. The researchers found an apparent reduction in life expectancy for men with diagnosed ADHD of between 4.5 and 9 years, and between 6.5 and 11 years for women.
The study also found that fewer than one in nine adults with ADHD had been diagnosed – meaning that only a fraction of the total population of adults with ADHD could be studied. However, they note that because ADHD often goes undiagnosed – especially in adults – the new research may over-estimate the reduction in life expectancy experienced by people with ADHD on average.
Senior author, Professor Josh Stott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences), said: “It is deeply concerning that some adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should.
“People with ADHD have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment. However, they often lack support and are more likely to experience stressful life events and social exclusion, negatively impacting their health and self-esteem.”
Reference: O’Nions E, El Baou C, John A, et al. Life expectancy and years of life lost for adults with diagnosed ADHD in the UK: matched cohort study. The British Journal of Psychiatry. Published online 2025:1-8. doi:10.1192/bjp.2024.199
Healthy Habits Take Time: Systematic Review Debunks 21-Day Habit Myth
In a new systematic review, UniSA researchers found that new habits can begin forming within about two months (median of 59–66 days) but can take up to 335 days to establish. The findings are published in journal Healthcare. It’s an important finding that could inform health interventions to promote healthy behaviours and prevent chronic disease.
The study of more than 2600 participants also found that certain factors can influence successful habit formation.
“Adopting healthy habits is essential for long-term well-being but forming these habits – and breaking unhealthy ones – can be challenging,” University of South Australia researcher, Dr Ben Singh, says
“At the beginning of the year, many of us are setting goals and making plans for the months ahead –things like being more active, cutting back on sugar, or making healthier food choices – but while common wisdom suggests that it takes just 21 days to form such habits, these claims are not evidence-based.
“In our research, we’ve found that habit formation starts within around two months, but there is significant variability, with formation times ranging from four days to nearly a year.
“So, it’s important for people who are hoping to make healthier habits not to give up at that mythical three-week mark.”
Reference: Singh, B., Murphy, A., Maher, C., & Smith, A. E. (2024). Time to Form a Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Health Behaviour Habit Formation and Its Determinants. Healthcare, 12(23), 2488. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232488
Potential of Genomic Testing to Tailor Prostate Cancer Therapy: Study Finds
A new review led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center assessed how three genomic tests — Decipher, Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) and Prolaris — can help doctors make better decisions about how to treat patients with early stage prostate cancer. The review, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, shows that these tests can provide more detailed information about the cancer, but experts say more data is needed on the cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of these tests, as well as their impact on racial and ethnic groups.
Genomic tests look at the genes of the cancer cells, which can give doctors a better idea of how aggressive the cancer might be. For example:
Observational studies with low bias showed most patients with very low or low baseline risk retained their risk category, though reclassification rates varied by test: 88.1%-100% for GPS, 82.9%-87.2% for Decipher and 76.9% for Prolaris. A randomized trial, however, reported higher reclassification rates to elevated risk categories.
This review examines how these tests can help doctors decide the best treatment options for patients.
“Genomic tests give us a clearer picture of how aggressive prostate cancer might be,” said Amir Alishahi Tabriz, M.D., Ph.D., assistant member in the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior at Moffitt and lead author of the review. “While these tests show promise, we need more well-designed studies to see exactly how they can improve treatment for patients. This is an exciting area of research for the future of cancer care.”
Reference: Amir Alishahi Tabriz, Matthew J. Boyer, Adelaide M. Gordon, et al. Impact of Genomic Classifiers on Risk Stratification and Treatment Intensity in Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. [Epub 21 January 2025]. doi:10.7326/ANNALS-24-00700
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