In a shocking incident at Chennai's Kalaignar Multi-Speciality Hospital, **Dr. Balaji Jaganathan**, an oncologist, was critically injured after being stabbed *seven times* by a patient's son.

The attack, reportedly over grievances regarding the cancer treatment of the patient’s mother, left the doctor with multiple severe injuries, including to his neck, chest, and stomach. 

*The assailant, identified as 26-year-old Vignesh, has been apprehended.* 

This incident comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding the safety of healthcare workers, following similar cases like the tragic death of a resident doctor in Kolkata earlier this year. 

The attack has sparked protests by doctors across Tamil Nadu, calling for better protection measures. Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for increased safety for healthcare professionals.

Source: Outlook [Read full story](https://www.outlookindia.com/national/chennai-doctor-stabbing-brings-back-safety-of-indian-healthcare-workers-in-focus)

Chennai Doctor Stabbed: Rising Concerns Over Safety of Healthcare Workers Across India

Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) significantly increases the risk of lung cancer in never-smokers, with a pooled relative risk of **1.24, or a more** than **20%** higher likelihood of developing lung cancer compared to those not exposed. 

This analysis, encompassing 97 studies, revealed that the risk is particularly elevated in specific settings such as the workplace (1.38) and the home (1.20). 

Additionally, the risk of lung cancer increases with the duration, intensity, and cumulative exposure (pack-years) to SHS. 

*These findings provide definitive evidence of the harmful impact of second-hand smoke on lung cancer risk, highlighting the urgent need for stronger public health measures to protect non-smokers from SHS exposure.*

Source: European Respiratory Review [Read full story](https://publications.ersnet.org/content/errev/33/174/240077)

Second-Hand Smoke Linked to Over 20% Increased Lung Cancer Risk in Never-Smokers

A comprehensive analysis of global diabetes trends from **1990 to 2022** reveals a staggering rise in prevalence, with **828 million** adults living with diabetes in 2022, up from **198 million** in 1990. 

The increase was most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, especially in **Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East**. 

However, treatment coverage has not kept pace with the growing epidemic. By 2022, **445 million** adults aged 30 and older with diabetes were untreated, representing 59% of the diabetic population in this age group. 

While treatment access improved in some regions, including Central and Western Europe and parts of Latin America, many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, saw minimal progress. 

*The findings underscore a critical gap between the rise in diabetes and the availability of effective treatment, highlighting the urgent need for expanded primary healthcare, early detection, and better diabetes management programs, particularly in resource-poor regions.*

Source: The Lancet [Read full story](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02317-1/fulltext?rss=yes)

Diabetes Epidemic: Global Prevalence Soars, Treatment Fails to Keep Up!

**Tirzepatide treatment over 3 years resulted in significant weight loss and a marked reduction in the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes in individuals with obesity and prediabetes.**

After **176 weeks** of tirzepatide treatment, participants with obesity and prediabetes showed substantial weight loss, with mean reductions of 12.3%, 18.7%, and 19.7% in the 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg tirzepatide groups, respectively, compared to 1.3% in the placebo group. 

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes was significantly lower in the tirzepatide groups, with only 1.3% of participants developing diabetes compared to 13.3% in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.07).

After 17 weeks off treatment, 2.4% of those on tirzepatide developed diabetes, compared to 13.7% of those on placebo (hazard ratio 0.12). 

Gastrointestinal side effects were most common during the dose-escalation phase, but were mostly mild to moderate in severity. No new safety signals were identified.  

*These results highlight tirzepatide's potential to not only promote weight loss but also significantly delay or prevent the progression from prediabetes to full-blown diabetes, offering hope for better management of obesity-related metabolic risks.*

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine [Read full story](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2410819)

Tirzepatide Cuts Weight and Reduces Diabetes Risk in Obese, Prediabetic Patients: 3-Year Trial

Don’t miss the final episode of Wizards of Medicine before the semifinals tomorrow at 9 PM! Join Dr. G.P. Dureja and quiz master Dr. Kamal Sharma for a session on Pain Management. Reserve your spot for free and stand a chance to win prizes and a certificate of attendance! Here are the important topics that you can expect for the quiz. Also, explore the structure and guidelines for the quiz. (Swipe Left)

[Reserve Now](https://pxmd.co/1ZxD) if you haven't yet!

Wizards of Medicine Final Episode Before Finals – Tomorrow

A new study has found that exposure to tobacco smoke during **pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence** significantly increases the risk of **chronic kidney disease (CKD)** in adulthood. 

-The research, which tracked over **350,000** participants, revealed that the earlier the exposure, the higher the risk—those exposed to tobacco smoke during childhood had the greatest risk of developing CKD later in life. 
-The study also found that physical activity could help mitigate this risk. 
-People with early-life tobacco exposure who engaged in regular physical activity were less likely to develop CKD compared to those who were inactive.

*The findings underscore the importance of reducing tobacco exposure early in life and promoting physical activity as key strategies in preventing CKD.*

Source: BMC Medicine [Read full story](https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03745-w)

Early Tobacco Exposure Raises CKD Risk in Adulthood, But Physical Activity Offers Protection

Prediabetes was linked to a higher risk of major clinical outcomes- such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and all-cause mortality - even without progressing to diabetes.

Over a follow-up period of up to **30 years**, prediabetes was associated with a modestly increased risk of these complications, and this risk remained significant after accounting for the development of diabetes. 

In fact, **85%** of the excess risk in individuals with prediabetes was attributable to factors independent of diabetes progression. 

*These findings suggest that prediabetes itself is a critical risk factor for long-term health issues, underscoring the need for early interventions to reduce complications, even before the onset of diabetes.*

Source: Diabetologia [Read full story](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-024-06315-0)

Prediabetes Poses Long-Term Health Risks, Even Without Progression to Diabetes

*The new joint update from the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics details latest guidelines for resuscitation following drowning*.

The recommendations are published simultaneously in the flagship, peer-reviewed journals of each organization, **Circulation** and **Pediatrics**. 

**Top Take-Home Messages**
- Anyone removed from the water without showing signs of normal breathing or consciousness should be presumed to be in cardiac arrest.
- One important update is the recommendation to provide **cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with rescue breaths and chest compressions** to all persons in cardiac arrest following drowning after removal from the water, compared to Hands-Only CPR.
- Immediate initiation of rescue breathing by trained rescuers may utilize the first means available (mouth-to-mouth, pocket mask, or bag-mask ventilation).
- Cardiac arrest following drowning is generally the result of severe hypoxemia; therefore, oxygen administration is recommended when available.
- Providing in-water rescue breathing, if the rescuer is appropriately trained and it’s safe to do so, may prevent the progression to cardiac arrest following drowning.
- The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) after initiation of high-quality CPR may be lifesaving in cardiac arrests following drowning that present with shockable rhythms, which are a minority—especially in children.
- All individuals requiring any level of resuscitation following drowning, including those who only need rescue breaths, should be transported to a hospital for evaluation, monitoring and treatment.

Source: AHA | [Click here to download](https://pxmd.co/DrowningResuscitation2024)

2024 Drowning Resuscitation Update: New CPR Recommendations from AHA and AAP

*Oral semaglutide (OS) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes showed significant improvements in key health metrics.* 

The study, which included **1,824 patients** across seven diabetes centers, found that OS treatment led to a reduction in HbA1c by **0.87%** at 6 months and maintained this reduction at 12 months.

Body weight decreased by **2.78 kg** at 6 months and **3.89 kg** at 12 months. 

Specifically, patients aged 75 and older also experienced notable reductions in HbA1c, along with significant weight loss.

*These results demonstrate that OS is an effective and safe treatment option for both younger and elderly type 2 diabetes patients, including those aged 75 and older.*

Source: Diabetes Res Clin Pract. [Read full story](https://www.diabetesresearchclinicalpractice.com/article/S0168-8227(24)00838-6/abstract)

Oral Semaglutide Proves Highly Effective for Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Children with asthma, particularly those with earlier onset, show major delays in memory development and cognitive function. 

This study included **474 children**, revealed that children with earlier asthma onset had slower improvements in episodic memory compared to their peers. 

Additionally, children with asthma, regardless of onset age, scored lower in areas of episodic memory, processing speed, and executive function, including inhibition and attention. 

*These findings suggest that asthma may affect brain development, potentially leading to long-term memory and cognitive challenges. The study highlights the importance of addressing cognitive health in children with asthma, especially those with an early diagnosis.*

Source: JAMA Network Open [Read full story](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825946)