Health

india-s-fertility-rate-declines-steadily-since-1950--lancet-stud

Thu Mar 21 17:37:55 IST 2024

A recent global research study published in The Lancet journal has shed light on India's remarkable decline in fertility rates over the past seven decades. According to the study, India's fertility rate has plummeted from nearly 6.2 in 1950 to just under 2 in 2021, with projections indicating a further decrease to 1.29 and 1.04 by 2050 and 2100, respectively.

The findings align with global trends, which have seen the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) drop from over 4.8 children per woman in 1950 to 2.2 in 2021. Projections suggest a continued decline to 1.8 and 1.6 by 2050 and 2100, respectively.

In 2021, the world witnessed 129 million livebirths, marking an increase from approximately 93 million in 1950 but a decrease from the peak of 142 million in 2016. Within India, the number of livebirths stood at over 16 million and 22 million in 1950 and 2021, respectively, with a projected decline to 13 million by 2050.

Despite the global trend of declining fertility, the study highlights that many low-income countries will continue to grapple with high fertility issues throughout the 21st century. The researchers from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 Fertility and Forecasting Collaborators emphasized that certain regions, particularly in western and eastern sub-Saharan Africa, will face persistently high fertility rates, resulting in a demographically divided world.

Moreover, the study projects a shift in the distribution of livebirths, with low-income countries expected to contribute significantly more to the global livebirths, almost doubling their share from 18% to 35% between 2021 and 2100.

In light of these demographic shifts, the researchers underscore the profound impacts on economies, geopolitics, food security, health, and the environment. They warn of a "clear demographic divide" between middle-to-high-income and low-income regions, stressing the need for innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by an ageing population.

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of Population Foundation of India (PFI), emphasized the profound implications of the findings for India, including challenges such as an ageing population, labour force shortages, and potential social imbalances due to gender preferences. She urged comprehensive approaches to address these impending challenges, including economic policies stimulating growth and job creation, alongside social security and pension reforms.

The researchers also stressed the importance of improving women's access to education and contraceptives to limit the concentration of livebirths in high-fertility, low-income regions. They projected considerably steeper fertility declines in sub-Saharan Africa through the rapid scale-up of education and contraceptives access.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington (UW), US, which coordinates the GBD study, hailed it as the largest and most comprehensive effort to quantify health loss across places and over time.

rheumatic-diseases-can-lead-to-reproductive-problems--finds-new-

Thu Mar 21 12:25:14 IST 2024

Rheumatic diseases of joints, muscles or connecting tissues can lead to reproductive problems like childlessness, preterm birth and birthing children of low weight, new research has found.

Published in the journal Rheumatology, the study examined the impact of autoimmune diseases on reproductive health using data from Finnish nationwide registers.

For a person suffering from an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs.

Authors of the study measured reproductive health in terms of number of children and adverse maternal and pregnancy-related outcomes for such patients.

The researchers found that among those born in Finland between 1964 and 1984, roughly 8 per cent of women and the same percentage of men had an autoimmune disease diagnosed before or during reproductive years.

While many of these autoimmune diseases had little impact on the number of children, women having selected conditions were found to experience a higher prevalence of childlessness.

The team found that the top three diseases having the maximum impact were Addison's disease (23.9 per cent more childlessness), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (9.3 per cent), and vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia (8.6 per cent).

Addison's disease is a disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, while juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an arthritic condition affecting children or juveniles.

"Despite seeing an elevated risk for diverse childbearing problems in rheumatic and other immune-mediated diseases, many of the complications are still fairly rare," said the study's lead author Anne Kerola from University of Helsinki in Finland.

Several rheumatic diseases lead to higher rates of childlessness and fewer children, and on average, people with such diseases tend to have preterm deliveries, the researchers found in their case-control study.

The study also found that men with rheumatic conditions experienced more childlessness than controls, with most diseases showing no difference but some diseases resulting in much higher prevalence of childlessness.

The team said the top three such diseases were myasthenia gravis (20.1 per cent more childlessness), Addison's disease (16.4 per cent), and vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia (13.7 per cent).

Myasthenia gravis is a condition in which antibodies prevent nerves and muscles from communicating with each other, thereby weakening the skeletal muscles.

"Family planning should actively be discussed between patients, both men and women, with rheumatic diseases and their healthcare providers. Pregnancies in women with rheumatic diseases are carefully followed up to tailor medications appropriately, which helps reduce risks," said Kerola.

blood-test-breakthrough--a-game-changer-in-heart-failure-detecti

Wed Mar 20 17:25:11 IST 2024

Cutting-edge research from Oxford University, in collaboration with a pioneering Indian-origin professor, has unveiled a groundbreaking blood test that could revolutionize the identification of individuals at the highest risk of succumbing to heart failure within the next five years.

Spearheaded by the esteemed Neil Herring, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Oxford, and co-led by Professor Pardeep Jhund at the University of Glasgow, the research introduces a potential game-changer in the realm of heart failure diagnosis.

"Patients with heart failure are still at a high risk of dying despite the advances in treatment," emphasised Professor Jhund. "Our work shows that NPY is a promising marker that can be measured in the blood to determine which patients are more likely to die. We hope that this will allow us to identify patients who may benefit from new therapies."

The study delves into the significance of a protein known as neuropeptide Y (NPY) when measured alongside the hormone B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), shedding light on its potential to pinpoint individuals with a heightened risk of mortality.

Heart failure, a condition characterized by the heart's inability to effectively pump blood throughout the body, presents a significant threat to life and currently lacks a definitive cure. The study's findings highlight the potential of NPY as a crucial indicator, released by nerves in the heart in response to extreme stress, which can trigger hazardous heart rhythms and constrict the smallest blood vessels in the heart muscle, intensifying the heart's workload.

The research, drawing from a cohort of over 800 participants at various stages of heart failure, meticulously examined the levels of BNP, participants' blood pressure, and echocardiograms. Notably, participants with elevated NPY levels exhibited a staggering 50% higher risk of dying from heart complications over a three-year follow-up period, underscoring the pivotal role of this biomarker in predicting adverse outcomes.

"The findings of this research are an exciting new development, building on over 10 years of collaborative research on this stress hormone," remarked Professor Herring. "We hope our research will ultimately benefit the increasing number of patients who are living with the debilitating effects of heart failure daily."

The study has been spotlighted in the prestigious European Journal of Heart Failure.

In a bid to translate these findings into tangible clinical applications, the team aims to investigate the potential of integrating NPY measurements into existing diagnostic paradigms within the next five years. This could potentially enable healthcare professionals to accurately discern which patients with heart failure are at the highest risk of early mortality, paving the way for tailored, life-saving interventions.

Furthermore, the researchers envision larger trials to ascertain the efficacy of NPY measurements in identifying individuals who stand to gain the most from advanced treatments such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). This groundbreaking approach holds the promise of offering healthcare professionals unprecedented insights into the trajectory of a patient's heart failure, guiding personalized treatment decisions with the potential to save lives.

The implications of this pioneering research extend beyond diagnostics, with the prospect of NPY serving as a viable drug target for the development of novel interventions aimed at bolstering the prognosis of heart failure patients.

vape-pens-heighten-risk-of-periodontal-disease-

Wed Mar 20 14:31:27 IST 2024

On this World Oral Health Day, March 20, the focus shifts to the alarming impact of vape pens on oral health.

Developed in 2003, e-cigarettes or vape pens were initially touted as devices that could help give up smoking. There is however mounting research that not only can vape pens be as addictive as normal cigarettes, they contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals such as marijuana. Long term effects include lung damage, asthma and cardio-vascular diseases:

Why are e-cigarettes (vape pens) a cause of concern?

Their rise has sparked concerns among healthcare professionals worldwide. Initially marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, vape pens have gained popularity, particularly among young adolescents and adults. However, recent studies suggest that the perceived lower risk associated with vaping compared to smoking may not hold true. A study published in 2019 that reviewed trends in risk perception of vaping versus smoking cigarettes from 2012 to 2017 revealed shifting attitudes towards the safety of e-cigarettes. While many users believe vaping poses fewer health risks than traditional smoking, emerging evidence points to potential harm, particularly concerning periodontal (gum) health.

How do vape pens harm the mouth?

Vape pens alter the biofilm (microorganisms growing on the surface) in the oral cavity, leading to an increase in certain inflammatory biomarkers (signs of normal or abnormal change/progress) such as interleukin (IL-β) and IL-8. These alterations contribute to inflammation of the gum (gingival inflammation), bleeding on probing, and deterioration of periodontal health. Additionally, the use of e-cigarettes has been linked to a decrease in saliva's antioxidant capacity, comparable to the effects of smoking traditional cigarettes. Use of e-cigarettes can also lead to dry mouth or reduced salivary secretions, also known as xerostomia which increases , the risk of dental caries.

What are the inherent risks in vape pen composition?

One of the significant complications is the risk of malfunction, including spontaneous failures and explosions within the oral cavity, resulting in severe injuries to both hard and soft tissues. Moreover, the presence of metals and metalloids in vape aerosols raises concerns due to their serious health effects, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

What about the liquid used in these pens?

These liquids, commonly referred to as vaping juice, contain solvents such as propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), which are known airway irritants. High concentrations of nicotine in e-liquids pose toxicity risks, especially to children and adults upon exposure through inhalation, dermal (skin) contact, or ingestion. The addition of various flavors to e-liquids may also contribute to tooth discoloration, highlighting additional concerns for oral health.

Some tips for maintaining oral health in light of growing e-cigarette use?

Dental professionals play a crucial role in educating patients about the detrimental effects of vaping on oral health. Through regular dental check-ups dentists can raise awareness about the risks associated with e-cigarette use, particularly regarding periodontal disease. Teaching patients about the impact of vaping on gingival inflammation, dental caries (chronic infection), and other oral health issues should be integrated into preventive care strategies for patients of all age groups. Dental health professionals must incorporate discussions about e-cigarette use into routine patient assessments to gather valuable information to tailor preventive strategies and educate patients effectively.

How do vape pens compare with traditional cigarettes?

Recent investigations have highlighted the adverse effects of vaping on periodontal health. Studies have shown that smokers who switched to vaping experienced a significant increase in gingival inflammation within a short period. While vape pen users may exhibit fewer oral symptoms compared to traditional cigarette smokers, they are still prone to oral mucosal lesions (damage of tissue), black tongue, burns, nicotine stomatitis (inflammation of salivary glands), and hairy tongue.

Long-term use of vape pens has been associated with deteriorating periodontal health, gingival diseases, and marginal alveolar (part of jaws from where teeth arise) bone loss. Although vape pen users may experience relatively less destruction of periodontal tissues compared to smokers, the overall impact on oral health warrants further investigation through comprehensive, long-term studies.

(Dr. Prachi Neogi is Consultant Dentist at Bhailal Amin General Hospital in Vadodara)

fish-consumption-rises-81---production-twofold-in-india-during-2

Tue Mar 19 16:46:38 IST 2024

India's annual per capita fish consumption increased to 8.89 kg in 2021 from 4.9 kg in 2005, indicating changes in dietary mix driven by higher income and rising prosperity, according to a study.

Among fish-eating populations, per capita annual fish consumption increased from 7.43 kg to 12.33 kg, an increase of 4.9 kg (66 per cent).

The study was conducted by WorldFish, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other government bodies. The timeframe for this study was 2005-2006 to 2019-2021.

During the 2005-2021 period, the country's fish production jumped over twofold to 14.164 million tonnes, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.63 per cent.

Out of the total fish output, the domestic consumption of fish accounted for 82.36 per cent in 2005-2006, 86.2 per cent in 2015-2016 and 83.65 per cent in 2019-2020. The rest was used for non-food purposes and exports.

The study noted that there was a rapid rise in the quantity of imported fish and fishery products for consumption within the country. These increased 543 per cent over the timeframe, with a CAGR of 12.84 per cent, from about 14,000 tonnes in 20052006 to 76,000 tonnes in 20192020.

Considering both locally sourced and imported fish, the total quantity of fish consumed in the domestic market increased 120 per cent to 11.924 million tonnes, from 5.428 million tonnes.

"Annual per capita fish consumption increased from 4.9 to 8.89 kg, an increase of 3.99 kg (81.43 per cent) with a growth rate of 4.05 per cent," said the report titled 'Fish consumption in India: Patterns and trends'.

India outperformed the World Bank's lower-middle income country group, with a 60 per cent increase in per capita fish consumption compared to the group's 45 per cent average, the report said, but added that India's consumption remained lower than the group's average of 14.94 kg in 2020. PTI

"Remarkably, fish consumption is surging faster than the global population growth rate, attributed to rising incomes, heightened awareness of its health benefits and the expanding urban footprint.

"Simultaneously, domestic demand for fish in India is on the rise, positioning the nation as the third-largest consumer of fish in the world by volume. However, per capita fish consumption in India continues to lag behind the global average," ICAR Director General Himanshu Pathak said in the report.

This study investigates the dynamics of fish consumption in India from 2005 to 2021, using comprehensive, nationally representative surveys conducted by the Government of India.

According to the report, Tripura had the highest proportion of fish consumers (99.35 per cent) among various Indian states, while Haryana had the lowest (20.55 per cent).

The eastern and northeastern states, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa had the highest fish-eating populations (more than 90 per cent).

Northern states such as Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan had the lowest ( less than 30 per cent).

Kerala (53.5 per cent) and Goa (36.2 per cent) had the highest percentage of daily fish consumers, while Assam (69 per cent) and Tripura (69 per cent) had the highest percentage of weekly consumers.

"Jammu and Kashmir experienced the highest increase (20.9 percentage points) in people eating fish. However, there was decline in fish consumers in Punjab (3.9 percentage points)," the report said.

India's fish-eating population increased 6.1 percentage points from 66 per cent to 72.1 per cent.

"Egg consumers increased 7.35 percentage points, followed by fish (6.1 percentage points), and chicken or meat (5.45 percentage points)," the report said.

"By the end of the surveys, 5.95 per cent of the population ate fish daily, 34.8 per cent weekly and 31.35 per cent occasionally," it added.

Fish consumption increased among both genders, with a shift toward weekly consumption.

"Men (78.6 per cent) had a higher fish consumption rate than women (65.6 per cent).

Urban areas (42.7 per cent) had a higher proportion of weekly fish consumption compared to rural areas (39.8 per cent).

"However, fish consumption increased more rapidly in rural areas than in urban areas, narrowing the gap," the report said.

scientists-find-potential-new-drug-target-to-prevent-ebola

Mon Mar 18 17:07:31 IST 2024

Scientists have found a new way in which Ebola reproduces in the human body, identifying a potential target for drugs to prevent the viral disease.

The study also sheds light on how the deadly virus that affects people mostly in sub-Saharan Africa interacts with a human protein called ubiquitin.

"We used a combination of experimental and computational (using computers) methods to investigate the interaction between the Ebola virus VP35 protein and ubiquitin chains," said study co-author Rafael Najmanovich, a professor at the University of Montreal in Canada.

"Advanced computational modeling by our team predicted the binding interface between a viral protein, VP35, and the ubiquitin chains in human cells, and identified potential chemical compounds that could disrupt this interaction," he said.

Ebola is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by several species of viruses from the genus Ebolavirus. Symptoms of Ebola start out flu-like but can progress to severe vomiting, bleeding and neurological (brain and nerve) issues.

The finding, published in the journal PLOS Biology, not only deepens our understanding of how the virus works, but also offers a promising avenue for the creation of more effective therapies, the researchers said.

"In particular, it paves the way for the design of drugs capable of disrupting this interaction and slowing down viral replication," Najmanovich said.

Notorious for its devastating outbreaks and high mortality rates, Ebola virus poses a significant threat to public health, the researchers said.

Understanding the intricate processes by which the virus replicates within the human body is essential for developing effective treatments, they said.

The latest study unravels some of the molecular intricacies of Ebola virus replication, shedding light on key proteins and pathways involved in the process.

The researchers were able to clarify structural and functional aspects of viral and human proteins interacting in a manner critical for viral replication.

One of the key findings of the study is the identification of one additional interaction for VP35, a multifunctional viral protein which plays a central role in viral replication.

The study revealed insights into the intricate interplay between Ebola virus and the host immune system.

By evading detection and subverting host defences, the virus is able to establish a foothold within the body, leading to unchecked replication and severe disease progression.

"This research underlines the importance of trying to understand the complex workings of viruses such as Ebola, and to develop innovative strategies to combat them," Najmanovich added.

study-flags-dietary-trends-that-enhance-risk-of-non-communicable

Mon Mar 18 16:48:22 IST 2024

A recent study has flagged disturbing dietary trends of excessive salt consumption and inadequate potassium intake, which increase the risk of development of hypertension, cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases.

According to the study, conducted by researchers at The George Institute for Global Health India in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, protein consumption was below the recommended dietary allowance and men exhibited higher nutrient intake compared to women.

The comprehensive study on the dietary habits of north Indian population was conducted focusing on the intake of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein, that have an impact on the risk of development of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, involved more than 400 adult participants encompassing healthy adults and those with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD).

It utilized 24-hour urinary excretion analysis to assess nutrient intake.

This method is considered more accurate than dietary recall because it is less prone to errors related to memory or estimation of portion sizes. Care was taken to ensure the urine samples' reliability for analysis.

"Meticulous analysis revealed some alarming trends -- excessive salt consumption surpassing recommended levels, inadequate potassium intake (both of which increase the risk of development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease), and protein consumption below the recommended dietary allowance," professor Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, The George Institute for Global Health, India and the lead study author, said.

A poor nutritious diet is a major risk element for non-communicable diseases (NCD), which are of considerable public health concern. In India, people eat different foods, so it is important to know exactly what nutrients they are getting to help prevent and manage these diseases, Jha said.

The high salt intake and low potassium intake point to the need to develop interventions targeted to individuals and societies, Jha stated.

These findings highlight the fact that while the dietary intake of several nutrients is necessary for good cardiovascular and kidney health, their consumption is suboptimal. It also highlighted the need for personalized changes in diet to reduce the risks of common non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The study also emphasizes the importance of accurate dietary assessments to provide personalized advice and develop effective policies.

Emphasizing the urgency for public awareness campaigns, individual counselling, and food policy reforms, Jha added, "The study shows that it is important to have dietary guidelines that are specific to local area. We need to take action to fix imbalances in nutrients and encourage people to eat more healthily by increasing diversity." To lower the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), researchers suggested using multi-faceted strategies, including providing better information on food labels so people can make healthier choices, reducing salt in processed foods, and encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables rich in potassium.

This study shows how to take proactive steps to fight NCDs, fostering a healthier future for North Indian communities.

This project was supported by funding from the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India Science and Engineering Research Board, Delhi, and the Department of Biotechnology-Welcome Trust, India Alliance.

how-smoking-habits-influence-stroke-risk-examined

Sat Mar 16 15:33:50 IST 2024

Researchers have explored in detail how varied smoking habits influence the risk of getting a stroke, in a new study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine.

It found that current smokers are at a higher risk of getting a stroke compared to those who never smoked, with the association being stronger for ischaemic stroke, the most common kind and caused when blood fails to reach the brain. The international study included researchers from St John's Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore.

Both filtered and non-filtered cigarettes were linked with an increased stroke risk, and passive smoking - exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) - for more than ten hours a week was found to nearly double the stroke risk, especially that of ischaemic and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). ICH is caused by bleeding of a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.

The team also found that in young heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes a day) under 50 years of age, stroke risk more than doubled, which was higher compared to increasing 1.5-fold in participants aged 70 and above.

Among those aged 50-59, they observed an 8-fold risk increase of large vessel stroke, involving large vessels supplying blood to the brain.

Regionally, the researchers found that the Western European and North American regions had the highest risk of stroke among current smokers. Data of participants from 32 high-, middle- and low-income countries were analysed, including those from Africa, South Asia (India and Pakistan) and South America. They were recruited from January 2008 to August 2015.

The researchers found that across income levels, stroke risk from smoking was higher in high income countries (HICs) than low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with younger smokers at higher risk than older ones. Risk of stroke rose with the number of cigarettes smoked per day, especially in HICs, they said.

The study findings are relevant to global efforts directed at reducing tobacco use and exposure, the researchers said.

Their suggested measures included preventing the youth from initiating and encouraging current smokers to quit, along with legislations aimed at building and supporting a smoke-free environment.

Around 46 per cent of young men in South East Asia were found to be current smokers, while those among young females in Eastern/central Europe/Middle East were found to be over 16 per cent.

unleash-your-memory-potential--the-science-behind-remembering-be

Sat Mar 16 12:31:39 IST 2024

Recent experiments conducted by psychologists at Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh have provided new insights into how we learn and remember our real-world experiences. The research suggests that varying what we study and spacing out our learning over time can both be helpful for memory. This means that the best way to memorize information depends on what we are trying to remember.

The study, published in the March 12 online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has shown that learning and memory benefit from spacing study sessions out. For example, if you study the material on different days leading up to a test, you will be more likely to recall it for a longer period of time. However, the "spacing effect" is often based on the idea that the content of the experience repeats identically each time, which is rarely the case in real life.

In the experiments, participants were asked to repeatedly study pairs of items and scenes that were either identical on each repetition or in which the item stayed the same but the scene changed each time. The researchers found that memory was better for the items that had been paired with different scenes compared with those shown with the same scene each time. This means that varying what we study can be helpful for memory.

Emily Cowan, lead author on the PNAS paper and a postdoctoral fellow in Temple's Adaptive Memory Lab, explained: "The combination of these two large-scale experiments allowed us to look at the timing of these 'spacing effects' across both long timescales -- for example, hours to days -- in Experiment No. 1 versus short timescales -- for example, seconds to minutes -- in Experiment No. 2. With this, we were able to ask how memory is impacted both by what is being learned -- whether that is an exact repetition or instead, contains variations or changes -- as well as when it is learned over repeated study opportunities.

Cowan continued: "This work demonstrates the benefits of spaced learning on memory are not absolute, instead depending on the variability present in the content across repetitions and the timing between learning opportunities, expanding our current understanding of how the way in which we learn information can impact how it is remembered. Our work suggests that both variability and spacing may present methods to improve our memory for isolated features and associative information, respectively, raising important applications for future research, education, and our everyday lives."

The experiments also revealed that for associative memory -- memory for the item and which scene it was paired with -- stability benefited memory. This means that spacing only benefited memory for the pairs that were repeated exactly, and only if there were long gaps between study opportunities.

antibiotic-resistance-varies-with-age-and-sex--study-finds

Sat Mar 16 12:01:33 IST 2024

A recent study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has revealed that age, sex, and location play a crucial role in assessing the antibiotic resistance of bacterial infections. The research, which analyzed data on bloodstream infections of nearly 9.5 lakh individuals across 29 European countries, found that these factors are important in understanding the development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.

The study observed that gender played a significant role in antimicrobial resistance, with men being at a higher risk of developing it than women. Additionally, the participants' resistance to various bacterial species peaked at different stages of their lives, with the peaks related to most of these species being seen at the youngest and oldest ages. For example, the superbug MRSA becomes more resistant with increasing age of the host, whereas resistance of E. coli decreased with age. The researchers also found that the incidence of bloodstream infections due to E. coli peaked between ages 15 and 40 for women.

This study is significant as it highlights the complexity of antibiotic resistance and the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to it. The study's findings could potentially inform more targeted approaches to combatting antibiotic resistance and improving public health outcomes globally.

The findings, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, shed light on the gaps in our knowledge of the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance. The authors emphasized the need for data from a wider range of sources to determine the contribution that cultural versus natural history differences have in driving these patterns globally and the role they play in the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance being seen.