Swiss Medical Weekly

New data reveals regional patterns in causes of death among elderly in Switzerland A new study by Swiss TPH and partners maps the leading causes of death for people aged 75 and more across Swiss municipalities (2010-2020). The authors found that mortality rates differ among language regions: French- and Italian-speaking regions have lower rates of deaths from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes compared to German-speaking areas. However, these regions faced higher rates of certain cancers. The newly published mortality atlas helps identify where health services are most needed, and allows for better-targeted health interventions for Switzerland’s ageing population. Published today in Swiss Medical Weekly, the analysis was based on Swiss mortality data provided by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office FSO. The study is part of the INSPIRE project led by the Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF. Find more results here: https://lnkd.in/etCnU9t3 Taru Singhal, Kaja Widmer, Penelope Vounatsou, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery - KU Leuven

Voices from Switzerland advocating for open science in times of change. Recent discussions in prestigious journals, such as the #NewEnglandJournalofMedicine, The Lancet Group, #Nature, and #Science have raised concerns about trends that could hinder the free exchange of scientific knowledge. By upholding open science, we aim to ensure that medical advancements are accessible, collaborative, and impactful for all. Here is our call for transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility in scientific publishing. Read, reflect, and share if you support transparency and accessibility in research.

Still one week to register for the Diamond Open Access Workshop Day on 21 March 2025 in Bern 💎 The Diamond Open Access Workshop Day is an event for the community of institutional publishing service providers and scholar-led journals in Switzerland and will feature eleven practice-oriented workshops and a poster session, dedicated to tools and services for Diamond Open Access publishing. Workshop Programme and Free Registration are available here: https://lnkd.in/dtQPXtqB 📅 Date: Friday, 21 March 2025 between 9 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. 📍 Location: Kongresszentrum Kreuz, Bern, Switzerland

🤝 Erfolgreicher Abschluss des Programms #OpenScience I (2021-2024) von swissuniversities 🤝 150 Gäste werfen heute im Kornhausforum Bern einen Blick zurück auf die Ergebnisse und Erkenntnisse aus den 138 Projekten zu #OpenAccess und #OpenResearchData Jean-Marc Piveteau, Rektor der ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences und Präsident des Steuergremiums Delegation Open Science präsentierte Facts und Figures, vier Projektleitende reflektieren ihre beeindruckenden Arbeiten zu #SelfArchiving, #GuidelinesForResearchers, #DataRepositories, #FAIRification   An der Veranstaltung werden #Wirkung und #Mehrwert aufgezeigt, welche das Programm und seine Projekte für die Open Science-Landschaft in der Schweiz haben. 🤝Une fin réussie pour le programme #OpenScience I (2021-2024) 🤝 150 personnes se sont réunies aujourd’hui au Kornhausforum de Berne pour porter un regard rétrospectif sur les résultats et les expériences tirés des 138 projets #OpenAccess et #OpenResearchData. Jean-Marc Piveteau, recteur de la ZHAW et président de la Délégation Open Science – l’organe de pilotage –, a présenté les faits et chiffres du programme ; quatre responsables de projet ont exposé leurs travaux impressionnants sur #SelfArchiving, #GuidelinesForResearchers, #DataRepositories, #FAIRification L'impact et l’importance du programme et de ses projets sur le paysage de l’Open Science en Suisse ont été mis en évidence tout au long de l’événement.

E-cigarettes, synthetic nicotine, heated-tobacco and smokeless nicotine delivery products: the nicotine landscape beyond combustible cigarettes Cigarette smoking remains an enormous public health problem causing millions of preventable deaths annually worldwide. Although safe and efficient smoking cessation pharmacotherapies such as nicotine replacement products and the medications varenicline and bupropion are available, long-term abstinence rates remain low and new approaches to help smokers successfully quit smoking are needed. In recent years, electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products, and novel smokeless nicotine delivery products like nicotine pouches have gained widespread popularity. These products can deliver nicotine without combustion of tobacco and might thus present an alternative to the currently available smoking cessation methods if they prove able to help smokers quit smoking conventional cigarettes while decreasing their exposure to toxicants. In this narrative review, the authors provide a summary of the characteristics of these novel nicotine delivery products and the available data regarding their efficacy as smoking cessation tools and safety profile with a focus on the current situation in Switzerland. https://lnkd.in/ezvT3geJ

Syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis from 2012 to 2021 in Switzerland Women who had a positive syphilis screening test in pregnancy presented several health determinants, such as late antenatal consultation and preterm delivery, especially in vulnerable population groups, which deserve more targeted prevention. Such determinants should be identified to improve surveillance and healthcare. https://lnkd.in/e3c9xWWB

Exploring the real-world management of catheter-associated urinary tract infections by Swiss general practitioners and urologists: The study emphasises the necessity for diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship interventions, and proper training in CAUTI management for general practitioners and urologists. https://lnkd.in/eZS9jk2E

In recent months, there has been some movement in the discussions regarding the further development of the Diamond Open Access model. The Swiss Medical Weekly was already committed to the Diamond model before the publication of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access. 💎 We are delighted that Patrick Furrer, Director of the Lausanne University Medical Library, has joined the Board of the SMW supporting association and that he will contribute his great expertise on Open Access and Open Science to the further development of the SMW. 💎

Antipsychotic, benzodiazepine and Z-drug prescriptions in a Swiss hospital network in the Choosing Wisely and COVID-19 eras With more than 10% and 30% of patients admitted to the internal medicine wards already treated with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines/Z-drugs, respectively, this study confirmed the very high prevalence of sedative use in Switzerland. Continuously monitoring new prescriptions of antipsychotics and other sedatives, and ensuring benchmarking, is a necessary prerequisite for detecting potentially inappropriate drifts, creating awareness and taking action in a targeted way. https://lnkd.in/esjaUYmN

Rational use of immunoglobulins in secondary antibody deficiencies: Immunoglobulins for intravenous use (IVIgs) and subcutaneous use (SCIgs) can prevent recurrent and severe infections in patients with secondary antibody deficiencies that are frequently linked to haematological/oncological malignancies as well as other clinical conditions and their respective treatments. Even so, as IVIgs and SCIgs are costly and their supply is limited, their clinical use must be optimised. https://lnkd.in/ewFEzeHg