Signs of a slowdown in new type 2 diabetes cases

The number of new cases of type 2 diabetes could be stabilising, or even falling, a study suggests.

The analysis looked at 47 studies from the mid-1960s up to 2014, mainly from the US and Canada and countries across Europe including the UK.

A third of populations studied between 2006 and 2014 saw a fall in new cases and another third were stable.

But Diabetes UK said the challenges of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, both linked to the condition, remained.

Prof Dianna Magliano, head of diabetes and population health at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, in Melbourne, who led the study, said: "We are seeing a flattening of incidence and even a fall in many high income countries in the recent years."

'Potential plateau'

Studies between 1990 and 2005 showed the number of new cases increased in two-thirds (67%) of populations studied, was stable in 31% and decreased in 2%.

But from 2006 to 2014, increases were seen in only a third, with 30% staying stable and 36% declining.

Prof Magliano said: "The most obvious conclusion to be drawn from falling incidence is that we are succeeding in reducing the risk for developing diabetes in the population."

The studies did not reveal the level of undiagnosed diabetes in populations - and a different test for type 2 diabetes was introduced around 2010.

But Sarah Wild, professor of epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said the findings echoed what she had seen in Scotland.

"There does seem to be a flattening of new cases of diabetes," she said. "Why that is seems to be a bit of a puzzle.

"It's good news. But that doesn't mean we can take our eye off the ball."

'Challenges remain'

Dr Emily Burns head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said: "This study looks at type 2 diabetes through a different lens, reporting on the number diagnosed rather than the number living with the condition - which can often be distorted by factors such as how long people live for.

"With this in mind, it's promising to see that the number of people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes might potentially be plateauing in certain parts of the world."

But she added: "The challenges posed by obesity and unhealthy lifestyles - the two main drivers for type 2 diabetes - remain significant.

"That's why, while the findings are interesting, this study doesn't detract from the seriousness of the growing diabetes crisis and the vital prevention efforts under way to help tackle this."

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Heavy menstrual bleeding: Keyhole hysterectomy technique 'more effective'

A keyhole-surgery technique for treating heavy menstrual bleeding is more effective and just as safe as a non-invasive alternative, a study of more than 600 UK women suggests.

Those who had a laparoscopic supra-cervical hysterectomy, removing part of the uterus, were more satisfied than a group that had endometrial ablation.

And they were less likely to have pelvic pain and pain during sex.

Heavy bleeding affects a quarter of women in the UK.

Hospital stays

Prof Kevin Cooper, consultant gynaecologist and study author from the University of Aberdeen, writing in the Lancet, said the study showed laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy offered "a more effective option than endometrial ablation, without any increased risks".

Fifteen months after surgery, there was a similar level of complications in both groups.

The women who had the modified hysterectomy technique did tend to have longer hospital stays and a slower return to work.

But, Prof Cooper said: "Most women having this procedure get home within 24 hours and there are no restrictive rules for recovery, unlike traditional hysterectomy."

Heavy periods

He said the procedure offered women "another effective surgical choice for this common medical condition".

There are many ways of carrying out a hysterectomy but the conventional one removes the womb and cervix.

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is a less invasive and less complex alternative to this, where the cervix is left intact.

In endometrial ablation, the lining of the uterus (endometrium), which is responsible for heavy periods, is destroyed, and the uterus is kept.

No incisions are needed for this procedure and recovery tends to be quick - but one in five of the patients goes on to have a hysterectomy, the study suggests.

Cervical screening

Dr Caroline Overton, consultant gynaecologist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said more research was needed to work out what happened in the longer term.

"It is important to note that both supracervical hysterectomy and endometrial ablation are generally safe procedures, but women should always consider non-surgical treatment options first."

For most women with heavy periods, the first recommended treatment is a medication called tranexamic acid, taken by mouth on the heavy days of the period.

Taking the hormone contraceptive pill or using an intrauterine device (IUD) can also be highly effective, Dr Overton said.

She said it was important for women and clinicians to consider the main symptoms being experienced when exploring surgical options.

Commenting on the research, Sukhbir Singh and Olga Bougie, from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Ottawa, said there were still questions left to answer about the safety of preserving the cervix.

"In particular, cervical conservation raises issues of specimen removal, need for cervical screening, and the potential for new or ongoing symptoms secondary to the retained cervical stump," they said.

They also noted the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology states total hysterectomy is preferred over laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.

And as a result, numbers of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomies have gone down.

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Extreme pubic grooming 'may not cause sexually transmitted infections'

Women who regularly remove all their pubic hair - known as "extreme" personal grooming - are not at greater risk of chlamydia or gonorrhea, a study of female students suggests.

The findings go against past research warning shaving and waxing could leave cuts in the skin and help sexually transmitted infections to take hold.

If left untreated, STIs can make getting pregnant more difficult.

Using condoms correctly during sex is the best form of protection.

STIs, which tend to affect young people and men who have sex with men, can usually be treated with antibiotics.

In this small study by Ohio State University, 214 women were asked how often and how much they groomed their pubic hair, and then tested for an STI.

While 53% said they had removed all their pubic hair every week in the past year and 18% in the past month - defined as "extreme groomers" - just 10% of the women tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea.

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The results showed no evidence of a link between extreme grooming and the risk of getting an STI, the researchers said.

The chances of getting an STI were the same between extreme groomers and other groomers, the study in Plos One found.

The researchers said their findings were more accurate than previous research because they took into account factors such as frequency of sex, income, race and age.

Women who have more sex with more people - and are therefore more likely to develop infections - are more likely to be regular groomers, they said.

Almost all the women in the study said they had engaged in some degree of grooming at some point, using a non-electric razor.

Most of the women tested were white and single.

Jamie Luster, study author, said it was important for women to know that information found on the internet or heard from friends was not necessarily correct.

She said there were other steps they could take to reduce the risk of STIs.

"The most certain way is to not have sex," she said.

"If you are sexually active, ways to reduce the risk of STIs include using condoms properly every time you have sex, having fewer and monogamous sexual partnerships, and getting vaccinated against HPV, which is one of the most common STIs."

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What are STIs (sexually transmitted infections)?

• Examples are gonnorhea, herpes, syphilis and genital warts
• The most common STI is chlamydia, which is easily passed on during sex
• Young heterosexuals under 25 and men who have sex with men are most affected
• Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated, and it is best if treatment starts as soon as possible

How to protect yourself?

• Use condoms correctly every time you have sex
• Get tested at a sexual health clinic, a genitourinary medicine clinic or at your GP surgery
• Tell your partner if you have an STI, to avoid spread of infection
• For more advice, see the sexual health charity FPA's website

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