The meta-analysis compared the patient-reported donor site morbidity using the Disabilities in Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) instrument across upper trunk free flaps in head and neck surgery, including radial forearm (RFFF), osteocutaneous radial forearm (OCRFF), scapular tip (STFF), and serratus anterior (SAFF) free flaps. The study analyzed 12 studies and found that patients generally function well, with minimal to mild donor site morbidity, when assessed at an average of 20 months after flap harvest. However, the results are based on a few effects from primarily retrospective studies of fair quality, and further research is needed.

Comparing Donor Site Morbidity in Upper Trunk Free Flaps: A Meta-Analysis Using DASH Instrument in Head and Neck Surgery

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Virtual eye care achieved 91.4% management agreement and 95.7% efficiency satisfaction, supporting better access to eye care.

Virtual Ophthalmology Service Shows High Quality and Satisfaction

An optometrist-led Virtual Ophthalmology Service (TVOS) demonstrated high-quality, efficient eye care in a real-world evaluation of 2,629 records from 2020–2023. Management plans showed 91.4% agreement with ophthalmologists, while 88.6% of respondents were satisfied with the service and 95.7% with its efficiency. The findings support virtual eye care as a promising model to improve access and reduce unnecessary in-person consultations

NEUROLOGY

A tailored sleep recovery programme improved sleep duration, quality and insomnia symptoms among night-shift healthcare workers.

Sleep Recovery Intervention Benefits Night-Shift Healthcare Workers

A randomized controlled trial involving 72 emergency healthcare professionals found that a tailored sleep recovery intervention improved sleep health among rotating night-shift workers. Participants receiving personalized sleep–wake feedback and stress management support increased total sleep time by 23 minutes, extended time in bed by 37 minutes, improved perceived sleep quality, and experienced reduced insomnia symptoms. The findings highlight the potential to reduce burnout and improve workplace safety.

UK research links socioeconomic deprivation to retinal ageing, highlighting health inequalities and the need for further studies.

Socioeconomic Deprivation and Retinal Ageing: UK Study

A study involving over 88,000 participants across the UK Biobank and London-based AlzEye cohorts found that socioeconomic deprivation was associated with accelerated retinal ageing. Deep-learning analysis of retinal images showed significant associations in both cohorts, although the link weakened after adjusting for health conditions and demographic factors. The findings highlight the potential of retinal biomarkers in ageing research and the need for further longitudinal studies

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Expert review highlights diagnostic gaps in rare liver neuroendocrine neoplasms and calls for standardized WHO-based reporting.

Rare Liver Neuroendocrine Tumours: Systematic Review Findings

: A PRISMA-based systematic review of rare primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PHNENs) found significant diagnostic uncertainties and historical misclassification. Expert pathology reassessment retained only 28 of 67 potentially eligible studies, identifying 57 likely cases. Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours accounted for 78.9% of cases. Researchers recommend standardized WHO-based terminology, comprehensive diagnostic reporting, and improved clinical and imaging assessments.

New Gujarati aphasia test demonstrates excellent reliability and diagnostic accuracy in a 175-participant validation study

Gujarati Aphasia Test Battery Demonstrates High Reliability

Researchers developed the Aphasia Test Battery in Gujarati (ATB-G), the first standardized assessment tool designed specifically for Gujarati-speaking adults with language impairment following stroke. Tested in 175 participants, the battery demonstrated excellent reliability, with an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.977, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.9998. The findings support its potential for culturally appropriate aphasia assessment.

HPV positivity was linked to improved survival in keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma, supporting further evaluation of HPV testing.

HPV Status and Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Description

A study of 5,081 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma found that HPV-positive patients with the keratinizing subtype had better overall survival than HPV-negative patients. After adjustment for clinical and demographic factors, HPV positivity was associated with a 19% lower hazard of death. The findings suggest that HPV testing may help inform the evaluation and prognostic assessment of this cancer subtype.

Ramadan fasting may temporarily improve nasal and sinus symptoms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, a prospective study suggests.

Ramadan Fasting and Chronic Rhinosinusitis Symptoms

A prospective study involving 42 male patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and 42 healthy controls found that Ramadan fasting was associated with temporary improvements in nasal congestion, nasal discharge, postnasal drip, and smell disturbances. Symptom improvements diminished over time after Ramadan. No disease exacerbations or complications were observed during fasting in this cohort of patients who had previously undergone sinus surgery.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

PCR-free cfDNA screening showed high accuracy for trisomy 21 and fetal sex determination in a routine first-trimester population.

Cell-Free DNA Screening Accuracy for Trisomy 21

A study of 3,025 women evaluated a cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening method using rolling circle replication to detect trisomies 21, 18, and 13 during routine first-trimester screening. Among 2,689 pregnancies with valid results, the method achieved 100% sensitivity and 99.7% specificity for trisomy 21. Fetal sex was correctly identified in 98.8% of cases. However, limited cases of trisomies 18 and 13 restrict conclusions about test performance for these conditions.

RHEUMATOLOGY

A systematic review explores how community pharmacies could expand support for osteoarthritis and chronic pain management.

Community Pharmacies in Chronic Pain Management

A systematic review of 27 studies found that community pharmacies primarily support adults with osteoarthritis and other chronic non-cancer pain through medication management. The evidence suggests pharmacists could expand their role in patient education, self-management support, and non-pharmacological care. However, mixed study quality and differing attitudes, alongside implementation barriers, highlight the need for stronger evidence and healthcare-system-specific strategies.

A qualitative study identifies barriers to timely physical therapy access for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Barriers to Physical Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Care

A qualitative study involving 36 patients, rheumatology clinicians, and physical therapists in the United States found that physical therapy (PT) is often introduced too late in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care. Limited discussions, delayed referrals, gaps in professional training, poor interprofessional communication, and barriers such as cost, travel, and time can restrict access. Researchers highlight the need for earlier consideration of PT and better coordination across healthcare teams.

A study links living alone with worsening cognitive, depressive, and post-traumatic stress symptoms after mild brain injury.

Living Alone and Recovery After Mild Brain Injury

A study of 114 adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) found that people living alone experienced greater increases in cognitive difficulties, fatigue, depression symptoms, and post-traumatic stress symptoms during the first 10 days after injury compared with those living with others. The findings suggest that living arrangements may be an important consideration when assessing recovery needs and planning follow-up support after concussion.

A study examines ENT referrals and airway abnormalities in children with recurrent croup, highlighting the value of targeted investigation.

Recurrent Croup in Children: ENT Referral and Airway Findings

A 10-year retrospective study of 128 children with recurrent croup found that nearly half were referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. Among children who underwent microlaryngobronchoscopy (MLB), 38% had normal findings, while others had airway abnormalities, including subglottic lesions requiring surgery. A higher number of croup episodes was the only independent predictor of ENT referral, highlighting the need for careful assessment and selective airway investigation.

Study finds sex-related differences in brain volume, tau burden, and hippocampal atrophy in early Alzheimer’s disease.

Sex Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

A multimodal study using data from two Alzheimer’s disease research cohorts found sex-related differences in brain structure and disease progression. Women with mild cognitive impairment had greater baseline gray matter volume in several brain regions but also showed higher tau burden, elevated GAP-43 levels, and faster annual hippocampal atrophy. Despite these differences, conversion rates from mild cognitive impairment to dementia were similar between women and men.

Study links exercise and cognitive-social engagement with longer cognitive impairment-free life expectancy.

Exercise and Social Engagement for Healthy Cognitive Aging

A study combining data from four aging cohorts across Asia, North America, and Europe found that structured exercise and cognitive–social engagement may offer complementary benefits for healthy cognitive aging. Adults engaging in both activities had the longest estimated cognitive impairment-free life expectancy from age 50 at 24.7 years, compared with 17.5 years among those with low levels of both. The findings support combining physical activity with meaningful cognitive and social engagement in dementia prevention strategies.

UROLOGY

Study of 52 healthy men finds little difference in urinary flow between sitting and standing, with a small difference in flow timing.

Sitting vs Standing Urination: Effects on Urinary Flow

A randomized crossover study of 52 healthy men compared urinary flow while sitting and standing. Researchers found no statistically significant differences in maximum urinary flow rate or total urine volume between the two positions. However, time to maximum flow was slightly longer while standing. The study did not formally establish equivalence between postures, highlighting the need for larger studies, particularly among men with urinary symptoms.

Comparison of patient‐rep...

Comparison of patient‐reported upper extremity disability following free flaps in head and neck reconstruction