News and opinion

New Oxford Study Shows Brief Sleep Therapy Delivered by Nurses Improves Insomnia

11 August 2023

Researchers from the University of Oxford have found that a brief form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for insomnia, delivered by nurses in GP surgeries, significantly improves sleep and quality of life compared to sleep hygiene alone.

Rapid weight loss found to be safe and helpful for people with liver disease, Oxford trial reveals

28 June 2023

A clinical trial, led by a team at NDPCHS, has shown that a three-month rapid weight loss programme was not only safe but also effective in reducing the severity of a liver disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with liver fibrosis.

Food industry shows ‘stalled progress’ to reduce salt intakes, new Oxford-led analysis finds

20 October 2022

New research led from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences has shown that, overall, the average salt content of food products sold at supermarkets has not changed between 2015 and 2020. The results also showed that for certain products (ready meals, pizzas and soups) the volume of salt sold increased during this time.

Close-up cropped image of older woman crossing her hands over her chest

Night-time blood pressure assessment is important in diagnosing hypertension and preventing cardiovascular disease, study reveals

22 September 2022

Around 15% of people aged 40-75 may have a form of undiagnosed high blood pressure (hypertension) that occurs only at night-time. Because they do not know about this, and therefore are not being treated for it, they are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke, heart failure, and even death, suggests new research from the University of Oxford.

COVID-19 infection more likely than vaccines to cause rare cardiovascular complications

16 December 2021

Led by the University of Oxford, a team of UK-based researchers have today reported results of the largest ever study to compare the risks of cardiovascular events, such as myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmia, between different vaccines and COVID-19 infection, and the first to investigate the association between cardiac events and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Reduction in UK red and processed meat intake, but more needed to meet our climate targets

8 October 2021

Daily meat consumption in the UK has decreased by approximately 17.4g per person per day – just under a 17% reduction – in the last decade finds new research from the University of Oxford. Between 2008/09 and 2018/19 people in the UK reduced both the amount of red and processed meat they eat, while slightly increasing their white meat consumption. Yet, this reduction is significantly less than the 30% reduction the National Food Strategy has recently called for within the next ten years.

Benefit-to-harm balance of statins for healthy adults "generally favourable", suggests Oxford-led research

15 July 2021

Statins are associated with a small increased risk of side effects in patients without a history of heart disease, but these effects are mild compared with the potential benefits of treatment in preventing major cardiovascular events, finds a study led by Oxford University researchers.

A series of small chocolate treats on a white background

Foods associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in middle-age identified

22 April 2021

Two common dietary patterns identified in British adults, which include high intakes of chocolate and confectionary, may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in middle-age, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Medicine by Oxford University researchers.

Young female in white t-shirt using blue asthma inhaler for relief asthma attack.

Risk of severe COVID-19 from asthma and other respiratory diseases may be only modestly increased, new analysis suggests

2 April 2021

People with asthma have only a modestly increased risk of developing severe Covid-19 and requiring admission to hospital from the illness, finds an analysis of 8.3 million electronic health care records in England led by University of Oxford researchers.

Elderly woman holding on handrail with caregiver

No link between blood pressure drugs and falls, finds study

10 February 2021

While treatment for high blood pressure is not associated with falls, there is some evidence to suggest patients who take blood pressure lowering medications may be more likely to faint or suffer kidney problems which lead to hospital admission, finds a study led by University of Oxford researchers.

A lady measuring her blood pressure at home using a cuff, and a laptop.

Remote, online support for blood pressure management at home is effective and low-cost

20 January 2021

At-home blood pressure monitoring using a web-based system offering personalised support and linked to a remote healthcare professional can result in better hypertension management than face-to-face consultations, finds a study led by University of Oxford, Bristol and Southampton researchers.

A man taking his blood pressure using a blood pressure cuff

Difference in blood pressure between arms linked to greater death risk

4 January 2021

Robust evidence from a large international study confirms that a difference in blood pressure readings between arms is linked to greater risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

Aim: To understand gender differences in the prognosis of women and men with heart failure, we compared mortality, cause of death and survival trends over time.
Patient characteristics:
Aged >45. New diagnosis of heart failure. Diagnosed between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2017.
Number included 29234 men and 26725 women who were diagnosed with heart failure, including 15,084 men who died and 15822 women, within the study period of 17 years.
The median age of diagnosis was 74.8 for men, 79.6 for women.
The median survival following diagnosis was 4.47 years for men and 3.99 years for women.
Cause of death in men: CVD (56.1%), primary heart failure (6.1%), heart failure any (41.8%) and non-CVD (43.9%).
Cause of death in women: CVD (55.2%), primary heart failure (8.4%), heart failure any (42.9%) and non-CVD (44.8%).
Women had a 14% lower age-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality compared to men.
Logos - Oxford University NDPCHS, Wellcome, Funded by NIHR.

Gender differences in heart failure care need to be addressed

30 September 2020

Women tend to be diagnosed with heart failure five years older than men, but have a better prognosis, finds research published in the European Journal of Heart Failure.

Less is more? Deprescribing blood pressure lowering medications is safe in the short-term in older people with frailty and multiple long-term conditions

26 May 2020

Almost half of chronic kidney disease is unrecognised

11 February 2020

More than 18 percent of over 60's have chronic kidney disease (CKD), around 44 percent of whom are undiagnosed without screening, finds a study led by Oxford University researchers.

Black and ethnic minority people face inequality in diabetes treatment

7 October 2019

Finger-prick blood test at GP surgery could safely reduce antibiotic use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

11 July 2019

Reducing the global burden of atrial fibrillation through prevention of weight gain

26 June 2019

Preventing weight gain could be an important strategy in reducing the global burden of atrial fibrillation, suggests a new study by researchers from the University of Oxford published in the journal, Heart. Nick Jones, study author, explains the findings.

Only “modest” improvement in heart failure survival rates since 2000

14 February 2019

Research led by Dr Clare Taylor and Professor Richard Hobbs finds that survival after a diagnosis of heart failure in the United Kingdom has shown only modest improvement in the 21st century and lags behind other serious conditions, such as cancer, in a large study published by The BMJ today.

Benefits of low-salt diet for heart failure uncertain

9 November 2018

A new systematic review from researchers at the University of Oxford has found limited evidence of any benefit for heart failure patients who follow a low-salt diet, despite many international guidelines recommending this.

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