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The latest headlines across every section, pulled from official and open-access sources.

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Social network structure and depression by gender in rural Honduras: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To assess the relationship between the structural position of individuals within their village network and symptoms of depression and postpartum depression, among men and women. Design Community-based, observational, cross-sectional study. Setting 176 villages in the Copan region of Honduras. Participants Village residents, comprising 25 605 adults surveyed in a census-based study; using data collected between October 2015 and December 2019. Outcomes Symptoms of depression and postpartum depression, among men and women. Results Across all participants, 34.99% reported depression…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Randomised, double-blind clinical trial protocol to evaluate whether early and perioperative tranexamic acid administration reduces transfusion rates and blood loss of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery in Spain

Introduction In patients with a hip fracture, anaemia has been associated with increased transfusion requirements, poor functional outcomes, prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. While anaemia in elderly patients with hip fractures has traditionally been attributed to bleeding during or after surgery, many of these patients are anaemic on hospital admission. Thus, detecting and managing anaemia in the perioperative, postoperative and, most significantly, the preoperative period is important to avoid the need for blood transfusions and to improve patient outcomes. The protocol for…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Barriers and facilitators to service utilisation and management of sexually transmitted infections in India: a multicentric mixed-method approach study protocol

Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have emerged as significant public health concerns, imposing a substantial burden on both individuals and the healthcare system of the country. Additionally, STIs may also result in major extensive psychological consequences that profoundly affect individuals with STIs. Despite the government’s implementation of different initiatives aimed at addressing STI-related challenges, these conditions are associated with shame and stigma which act as barriers to the effective utilisation of healthcare services. The purpose of the present study is to…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Symptom experience of patients after total knee arthroplasty in China: a longitudinal qualitative study

Objective Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common and effective procedure for end-stage knee osteoarthritis, yet patients frequently encounter a complex and dynamic symptom experience during the initial period that can significantly impact their rehabilitation and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the symptom experience of patients within 6 weeks after TKA. Design A longitudinal qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Setting This study was conducted in an orthopaedics department of a tertiary general hospital in China. Participants Interviews were conducted with 16…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Add-on tocilizumab versus placebo for resistant major depression in psychiatric outpatients with low-grade inflammation in a tertiary public hospital in Southern Brazil: randomised triple-blind clinical trial protocol

Introduction Emerging evidence supports a role for interleukin 6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in the pathogenesis of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD). However, interventional studies targeting IL-6 in this population remain scarce. Tocilizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-6 signalling and is approved for the treatment of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. The primary objective of this study is to examine whether IL-6 inhibition via tocilizumab can impact depressive symptoms, inflammation-related biomarkers and cognition in…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Enhancing screening, early diagnosis and treatment initiation of oral, breast and cervical cancer in selected districts of India: an implementation research protocol

Introduction Despite implementation of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), screening coverage for oral, breast and cervical cancers remains below 2%. Screening quality is inadequately addressed and delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation continue to persist. This multisite implementation research aims to improve district-level coverage and quality of screening, early diagnosis and timeliness of treatment initiation through a model co-developed within the NP-NCD context. Methods and analysis The study will be conducted in three phases…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Minocycline hydrochloride ointment-assisted periodontal treatment of stage III/IV periodontitis associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus targeting Chinese people: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Scaling and root planing (SRP) combined with adjunctive antibiotic therapy is widely adopted in the management of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with the aims of ameliorating glycaemic control, alleviating local inflammation and facilitating periodontal tissue regeneration. As a topically administered adjunctive antibiotic for periodontal treatment, minocycline hydrochloride (MH) ointment has shown favourable clinical efficacy in systemically healthy patients with periodontitis. However, robust evidence supporting its clinical efficacy and…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Barriers and facilitators to digital health tool adoption for hypertension management: systematic review of qualitative studies

Objectives Digital health interventions (DHIs) show considerable promise in supporting hypertension self-management by promoting preventative care and self-monitoring. While their efficacy is increasingly evident, the long-term uptake, acceptance and sustained engagement with these tools are frequently challenged by issues such as usability, trust and varying user experiences. This review aims to synthesise qualitative evidence to identify barriers and facilitators and the key factors that impact the adoption, acceptance and engagement with DHIs for hypertension self-management. Design…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

DREAMSPHEN: a randomised controlled study comparing dose reduction of antipsychotics vs maintenance treatment in schizophrenia spectrum disorder after stratification based on patients psychotic phenotype - study protocol of a personalised medicine approach

Introduction The DREAMSPHEN study (Dose REduction of Antipsychotics vs. Maintenance treatment in schizophrenia after Stratification based on psychotic PHENotype) aims to compare the benefits and risks of a hyperbolic tapering method for antipsychotics to the maintenance of antipsychotics in a sample of clinically stabilised patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Methods and analysis A sample of 288 patients will be recruited from 12 centres in France. Inclusion criteria are: diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (according to the 5th version of the Diagnostic and Statistical…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Association of 24-hour movement guideline adherence with mental health symptoms among Colombian university students: a cross-sectional study

Objective This study aimed to determine the associations between adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines and symptoms of anxiety and depression among Colombian university students. Study design Cross-sectional study. Participants 1125 individuals (mean age 20.2±2.5 years; 56.7% female). Setting Students sampled from a single public university. Primary and secondary outcome measures Participants completed validated self-report instruments: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form to assess physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and the Pittsburgh Sleep…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Effect of a culturally adapted heart-healthy diet with phytosterols and/or krill oil on lipid-related outcomes in familial hypercholesterolaemia: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial in Brazil

Introduction An affordable heart-healthy dietary approach is essential for the management of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH); however, the optimal dietary pattern and the role of adjunctive nutrient supplementation remain uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet (DICA Br), adapted from the Portfolio Diet, with or without phytosterol and/or krill oil supplementation in individuals with probable or definite FH according to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (Dutch MEDPED) criteria. Methods and analysis The DICA-FH study is a national, multicentre…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Difficult intravenous access (DIVA) in the adult population: an umbrella review

Objectives To synthesise evidence from systematic reviews on difficult intravenous access (DIVA) in adults, focusing on definitions, diagnostic criteria, risk factors and clinical interventions to guide clinical practice and health policy. Design Umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Setting Any clinical setting involving adult patients requiring peripheral venous access (including hospital, emergency and outpatient care). Data sources A systematic search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science in July 2025. Eligibility criteria Systematic…

BMJ Open · Jun 12, 2026

Accuracy of ophthalmic referral diagnoses by non-ophthalmologists in acute eye care: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Ophthalmic complaints account for a substantial proportion of presentations to emergency and acute eye care services, yet initial assessment or referral is frequently performed by non-ophthalmologist healthcare professionals. Previous single-centre studies suggest that one-third of referrals are incorrectly diagnosed, potentially delaying appropriate management of vision-threatening conditions. However, the overall magnitude of diagnostic error and patterns of misdiagnosis across healthcare settings remain unclear. This study aims to systematically review and synthesise the…

MedCity News · Jun 12, 2026

Designing Care Environments for Sensory Regulation, Not Just Clinical Efficiency

Bright overhead lighting, constant alarms, hard surfaces, and abrupt transitions between spaces can trigger agitation, confusion, and sensory overload. These reactions are not incidental; they directly affect recovery, staff workload, and cost. The post Designing Care Environments for Sensory Regulation, Not Just Clinical Efficiency appeared first on MedCity News .

KFF Health News · Jun 12, 2026

1 in 4 Covered California Enrollees Could Get State Aid Under Newsom Proposal

California is considering expanding financial help for low-income residents struggling to pay high health insurance premiums after losing federal subsidies. But relief for state marketplace customers will be limited. Here’s who may get help and what it could mean for premiums.

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