Frailty Significantly Reduces Life Expectancy After Stroke or TIA in Elderly: Study

A recent study published in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases revealed that frailty significantly worsens outcomes for older adults who undergo ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), shortening life expectancy and increasing long-term mortality.

This research analyzed health data from the Vektis health insurance claims database, focusing on patients aged 70 and older who suffered a stroke or TIA in 2018. Frailty was identified using the U-PRIM frailty index, that evaluates vulnerability in older adults, while a non-frail control group was matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The mortality data were tracked through May 2024, providing follow-up of roughly 5 to 6 years.

Among 16,778 frail and 10,069 non-frail participants, frail individuals underwent markedly higher mortality and shorter life expectancy after cerebrovascular events. Also, 66% of frail patients died following ischemic stroke when compared with 55% of non-frail patients. For TIA, the gap was even wider, with 54% of frail patients dying versus 36% of non-frail counterparts.

When examining life expectancy, the study found that frail patients who suffered a stroke lived an average of 3.8 years afterward, when compared with 5.2 years for non-frail individuals. TIA survivors demonstrated a similar pattern where frail patients lived about 5.9 years on average, while non-frail patients had life expectancy exceeding 6.4 years.

Using Cox regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders, frailty increased the risk of death by 30% after ischemic stroke and by 72% following TIA. The study examined secondary outcomes, finding that frail patients were more likely to experience additional cardiovascular events. After ischemic stroke, 40% of frail patients had further cardiovascular complications when compared with 38% of non-frail patients. Following TIA, rates were 18% versus 13%.

These results highlight the significant impact of frailty on survival in older adults after stroke or TIA. The study observed that recognizing frailty in clinical practice can inform treatment decisions, guide monitoring for recurrent cardiovascular events, and support discussions about advanced care planning.

The study highlights that age alone does not fully capture risk where frailty plays a critical role in predicting outcomes after cerebrovascular events. Overall, this research provides important evidence that frailty is a key factor of both mortality and life expectancy following ischemic stroke and TIA.

Reference:

Prins, S. R., Damoiseaux-Volman, B. A., van Erkelens, J. A., Vermeer, S. E., Van der Velde, N., & Van den Berg-Vos, R. M. (2025). Life expectancy after an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in older adults – the role of frailty. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases: The Official Journal of National Stroke Association, 108448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2025.108448

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Over Half of Indian Patients With Nasal Symptoms Have Allergic Rhinitis: Study Finds

India: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is highly prevalent among Indian patients presenting with nasal complaints, with more than half of such individuals testing positive using the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaire. The findings highlight the importance of early detection and targeted management to address this widespread health problem.         

The study, led by Dr. Carlton David Periera from the Department of ENT, Wadia Children’s Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, and colleagues, was published in the Journal of Asthma and Allergy. It represents one of the largest in-clinic evaluations of AR prevalence in India, involving patients aged 11 years and above across 19 states and union territories. Conducted between September 2022 and April 2023, the research enrolled 40,001 patients who visited doctors’ clinics and hospitals with nasal symptoms.

To determine AR, the researchers employed the SFAR questionnaire, with scores ≥7 indicating a positive diagnosis. A total of 3358 doctors, including ENT specialists and chest physicians, participated in the multicenter cross-sectional investigation.

The key findings were as follows:

  • 53.7% (21,480 patients) met the criteria for allergic rhinitis, reflecting a high prevalence in this clinical population.
  • Sneezing was the most common symptom, reported by 69.1% of all patients and nearly 87% of those with allergic rhinitis.
  • House dust mite exposure was identified as the leading trigger, affecting 73.8% of patients.
  • The burden of nasal symptoms peaked between October and January, indicating a seasonal pattern.
  • Allergic rhinitis was more frequent in females and individuals aged 11–40 years.
  • Around 50% of patients reported a family history of asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis.
  • Only 46% of allergic rhinitis–positive patients had been formally diagnosed by a doctor, and just 31.5% had undergone allergy testing, underscoring underdiagnosis.
  • After adjusting for confounders, allergic rhinitis was strongly associated with nasal complaints accompanied by watery, itchy eyes and with a history of physician-diagnosed allergies.
  • The authors noted that limited recognition may stem from a lack of standardized in-clinic diagnostic tools, which the SFAR questionnaire aims to address.

The researchers concluded that AR is a significant public health challenge in India. The high in-clinic prevalence suggests a pressing need for increased awareness, early screening, and proactive management. According to the team, the SFAR questionnaire is a reliable, easy-to-use screening instrument that can support timely diagnosis of AR in Indian clinical practice.

The authors emphasized that this dataset provides opportunities for further research into regional variations and risk factors. Expanding the use of SFAR beyond specialty clinics to general practice and community settings could give a clearer picture of the true burden of AR nationwide. Such efforts would not only improve early detection but also guide effective public health planning and strategies for managing allergic rhinitis in India.

Reference:

Periera CD, Warad V, Rodrigues JP, Pandit GS, Gupte V, Thakur GK, Upadhyaya A, Gogtay J. An Indian Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate In-Clinic Allergic Rhinitis Prevalence in Patients Having Nasal Symptoms Using the SFAR Questionnaire. J Asthma Allergy. 2025;18:1239-1251. https://doi.org/10.2147/JAA.S516448

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ESIC Medical College Noida notifies MBBS fee structure, Check details

Uttar Pradesh- Through a notification, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College Noida, UP has informed the complete fee structure for MBBS admission for the academic year 2025-26. The fee structure has been released for the IP Quota, State Quota and All India Quota (AIQ) students.

As per the fee structure, the IP Quota students have to pay a total of Rs 49,000/- and the State Quota students and AIQ students have to pay a total of Rs 1,25,000/- for MBBS admission.

Hostel Fee & Hostel Security Deposit are payable for those who want to opt for Hostel facilities. Those who do not want to opt for a Hostel may exclude both prescribed fees from the total fee structure to prepare a Demand Draft. Below is the complete fee structure-

Also Read: UP DGME clarifies on MBBS fee for School of Medical Sciences and Research Greater Noida, details

FEE STRUCTURE

1 FOR ‘IP QUOTA’ STUDENT

S.NO

FEE HEAD (ANNUAL)

FEE TO PAY (IN RUPEES)

1

Tuition Fee

24,000/-

2

Caution Deposit (Refundable)

5,000/-

3

Hostel Fee

10,000/-

4

Hostel Security Deposit (Refundable)

10,000/-

TOTAL

49,000/-

2 FOR ‘STATE QUOTA’ STUDENTS

S.NO

FEE HEAD (ANNUAL)

FEE TO PAY (IN RUPEES)

1

Tuition Fee

1,00,000/-

2

Caution Deposit (Refundable)

5,000/-

3

Hostel Fee

10,000/-

4

Hostel Security Deposit (Refundable)

10,000/-

TOTAL

1,25,000/-

3 FOR ‘ALL INDIA QUOTA’ STUDENTS

S.NO

FEE HEAD (ANNUAL)

FEE TO PAY (IN RUPEES)

1

Tuition Fee

1,00,000/-

2

Caution Deposit (Refundable)

5,000/-

3

Hostel Fee

10,000/-

4

Hostel Security Deposit (Refundable)

10,000/-

TOTAL

1,25,000/-

To view the notification, click the link below

Prior to this, UPDGME has released the MD/MS fee structure for the academic session 2025–26 for all private medical colleges in the state. Medical Dialogues earlier reported that the fee structure includes the complete details of tuition fees (Clinical, Pathology, Non-Clinical), hostel charges, refundable security deposit, and annual miscellaneous charges applicable for each college. The fees for MD and MS programs in Uttar Pradesh vary considerably depending on the college and the specific course.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

1 Security Deposit (Refundable): ₹5,00,000 (one-time) — includes hospital, lab, uniform, etc.

2 Miscellaneous Fees: ₹1,41,240 per year — covers university registration, development fee, library, student association, gym/sports, admission, examination, and all other charges.

Also Read: UP DGME Releases MD, MS Fee Structure at 23 Private Medical Colleges, details 

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AI can spot which patients need treatment to prevent vision loss in young adults

Researchers have successfully used artificial intelligence (AI) to predict which patients need treatment to stabilize their corneas and preserve their eyesight, in a study presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

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AI can spot which patients need treatment to prevent vision loss in young adults

Researchers have successfully used artificial intelligence (AI) to predict which patients need treatment to stabilize their corneas and preserve their eyesight, in a study presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

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Half of people stop taking popular weight-loss drug within a year, study finds

The new class of anti-obesity drugs, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), is proving remarkably effective at helping individuals lose weight. However, a new population-wide study presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15–19 Sept) finds that half of adults without diabetes who start taking the weight-loss drug semaglutide in Denmark discontinue treatment within a year.

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Half of people stop taking popular weight-loss drug within a year, study finds

The new class of anti-obesity drugs, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), is proving remarkably effective at helping individuals lose weight. However, a new population-wide study presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15–19 Sept) finds that half of adults without diabetes who start taking the weight-loss drug semaglutide in Denmark discontinue treatment within a year.

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Study shows smoking increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, regardless of its characteristics

The characteristics of type 2 diabetes vary from patient to patient and it has been proposed that the condition is made up of four subtypes. Now, new research presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15–19 September) shows that smoking increases the risk of the condition, regardless of subtype.

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Links between diabetes and depression are similar across Europe, study of over-50s in 18 countries finds

The relative increase in odds of an individual with diabetes developing severe symptoms of depression—and vice versa—is the same, regardless of where they live, a study of over-50s in 18 countries in Europe presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15–19 September) has found.

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Well-preserved Amazon rainforest on Indigenous lands can protect people from diseases, study finds

Every time humans cut into the Amazon rainforest or burn or destroy parts of it, they’re making people sick.

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