OBJECTIVE High-attrition rates have been observed in long-term clinical trials of weight loss agents. We evaluated the impact of an innovative retention programme on 1-year retention. METHODS Three Phase 3 global multicentre clinical trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of a CB1 receptor antagonist in subjects with BMI ≥ or = 27 kg/m2. The impact of a multifaceted retention programme incl...

Introduction Syphilis is a complex community disease, with multiple stages and unique presentations involving almost every organ system, and which can be controlled by public health measures. The aim of this study was analyse and report on the syphilis case finding programme as implemented through the dermatology clinic of Athens University.

As congenital hearing impairment has a worldwide incidence of 4 to 5 per 1000 babies and is thus one of the most common congenital problems seen today, universal newborn screening has a crucial role to play in its early detection and intervention. It provides the opportunity for better outcomes and normal language development. Prior to embarking on a screening programme, the newborn population ...

Birth defects aff ect 6% of all children in India, which translates to a staggering 1·7 million birth defects annually. Developmental delays are also a substantial cause of morbidity in early childhood, aff ecting around 10% of children. That’s why many experts have welcomed a new government initiative to screen children for birth defects and intervene early, although concerns have been raised ...

The aim of this study was to determine the best upper age limit for a breast cancer screening programme. We used a model-based study using optimistic and pessimistic assumptions, concerning improvement of prognosis due to screen-detection and duration of the period of mammographic detectability, resulting in upper and lower limits for favourable and unfavourable effects. Under pessimistic assum...

OBJECTIVES To summarize participation and coverage rates in population mammographic screening programmes for breast cancer in Europe. METHODS We used the European Network for Information on Cancer (EUNICE), a web-based data warehouse (EUNICE Breast Cancer Screening Monitoring, EBCSM) for breast cancer screening, to obtain information on programme characteristics, coverage and participation fr...

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the working age population in high-income countries. Since DR is asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage, early detection by retinal examination is crucial. This is the goal of a Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (DRS) Programme. In keeping with guidelines for screening programmes, it must adhere to a stan...

Progress in controlling communicable diseases increases the relative importance of noncommunicable diseases, including genetic disorders. In Iran, the development of primary health care over the past 20 years has greatly reduced infant mortality and crude birth rate. Accordingly, in 1991 prevention of non-communicable diseases was added to the primary healthcare programme, and a department for ...