Lancet Group Research Articles

Reported community engagement in health equity research published in high-impact medical journals: a scoping review

ObjectiveTo assess reported community engagement in the design and conduct of health equity-focused articles published in high-impact journals.DesignScoping review follows guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items...

The Lancet Group's new guidance to authors on reporting race and ethnicity

The Lancet Group's new guidance to authors on reporting race and ethnicity

The use of systematic reviews for conducting new studies in physiotherapy research: a meta-research study comparing author guidelines of physiotherapy-related journals

BackgroundRequiring authors to base their research on a systematic review of the existing literature prevents the generation of redundant scientific studies, thereby avoiding the deprivation of effective therapies for trial participants and the waste of research funds. Scientific medical journals could require this in their author guidelines. While this applies to all areas of research, it is also relevant to physiotherapy and rehabilitation research, which predominantly involve interventional trials in patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the extent to which the use of systematic reviews to justify a new trial is already being requested by physiotherapy-related scientific medical journals (PTJs). In addition, a comparison was made between PTJs and scientific medical journals with the highest impact factor in the Science Citation Index Extended (SCIE).MethodsThis meta-research study is based on a systematic examination of the author guidelines of 149 PTJs. The journals were identified and included based on the number of publications with physiotherapy as a keyword in the databases PEDro, and Medline (Pubmed). The included author guidelines were analysed for the extent to which they specified that a new trial should be justified by a systematic review of the literature. Additionally, they were compared with 14 scientific medical journals with the highest impact factor in the SCIE (LJs).ResultsIn their author guidelines, none of the included PTJs required or recommended the use of a systematic review to justify a new trial. Among LJs, four journals (28.57%), all associated with the Lancet group, required the study justification through a systematic review of the literature.ConclusionNeither PTJs nor LJs require or recommend the use of a systematic review to justify a new trial in their author guidelines. This potentially leaves room for unethical scientific practices and should be critically considered in future research.

Retraction and republication: 6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study

On Nov 24, 2022, The Lancet published an Expression of Concern1The Lancet EditorsExpression of concern: 6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study.Lancet. 2022; 401: 90Summary Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar about the Article 6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study2Huang C Huang L Wang Y et al.6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 397: 220-232Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2236) Google Scholar by Chaolin Huang and colleagues, because of the substantive data correction request from the authors following comments from a reader, who was concerned about data and symptom questionnaire inconsistencies between this Article2Huang C Huang L Wang Y et al.6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 397: 220-232Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2236) Google Scholar and another Article, 1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study3Huang L Yao Q Gu X et al.1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 398: 747-758Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (411) Google Scholar by Lixue Huang and colleagues. We commissioned a series of formal investigations into these alleged data inconsistencies. First, we invited a Chinese statistical reviewer and the former statistical reviewer who provided a review of the original version of the Article by Chaolin Huang and colleagues2Huang C Huang L Wang Y et al.6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 397: 220-232Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2236) Google Scholar to review the corrected data and the reasons for doing so. Both reviewers agreed that the changes were realistic and reasonable. Second, we contacted a clinical reviewer who saw both Articles on the 6-month2Huang C Huang L Wang Y et al.6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 397: 220-232Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2236) Google Scholar and the 12-month3Huang L Yao Q Gu X et al.1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 398: 747-758Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (411) Google Scholar follow-up to assess whether the symptom questionnaires used in the 6-month and 1-year follow-up visits were different. The clinical reviewer confirmed the differences between the two questionnaires were minimal and did not preclude the comparison of the proportion of COVID-19 survivors with symptoms at 6 months and 12 months. The Chinese versions of the questionnaires have also been reviewed by all the China editors of The Lancet Group, who came to a similar conclusion. Third, we asked the China–Japan Friendship Hospital, the institute of the corresponding author of the Article,2Huang C Huang L Wang Y et al.6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study.Lancet. 2021; 397: 220-232Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2236) Google Scholar to assess the validity of the corrected data; the hospital organised a data review committee to go through the data and confirmed the corrected data were valid. Given these results, we invited a resubmission with the corrected data, and organised formal peer review of the fully revised paper with the corrected data by all the previous clinical reviewers and the statistical reviewer. Following the retraction guidelines4Committee on Publication EthicsRetraction guidelines.https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelinesDate accessed: June 6, 2023Google Scholar of The Committee on Publication Ethics, we have decided to retract the original published version of the Article and publish a corrected version using the retraction and republication process recommended in cases where substantive changes are required. • View the republished version of the article RETRACTED: 6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort studyAt 6 months after acute infection, COVID-19 survivors were mainly troubled with fatigue or muscle weakness, sleep difficulties, and anxiety or depression. Patients who were more severely ill during their hospital stay had more severe impaired pulmonary diffusion capacities and abnormal chest imaging manifestations, and are the main target population for intervention of long-term recovery. Full-Text PDF

Artistic licence: artwork permission practices at The Lancet group

Artwork within publications, broadly covering non-text items including graphs, diagrams, and photographs, is typically published under a copyright licence, and permission for the reproduction of such items needs to be sought. The various image rights can be difficult to navigate, especially in the era of open access, and thus at The Lancet, we have developed a streamlined workflow to guide our teams on artwork permission processes in our journals. We present a practical guide for other publishing professionals, which can be adapted to meet their resources and needs.

Winner of the 2022 Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize: the dutiful son by his father's bedside

The 2022 Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize invited submissions sharing ideas of “a heart full of great compassion and empathy” in modern Chinese clinical practice.1 We are pleased and grateful to have received 187 submissions—twice the number of submissions in 2021—telling touching and provocative stories about all aspects of medical practice in China. Essays were shortlisted by two editors at The Lancet Group and anonymised essays were sent to external advisers in China for their reflections and thoughts.

The Lancet journals: our new ombudsperson

We are indebted to Professor Malcolm Molyneux, who served as Ombudsman to the Lancet group of journals from 2015, providing authoritative and wise advice during his tenure. After 6 years of service, Malcolm was to stand down at the end of 2021. On Nov 16, 2021, he died after an illness.1

Climate finance and peace—tackling the climate and humanitarian crisis

Climate finance and peace—tackling the climate and humanitarian crisis

Planetary health research: insights from The Lancet Planetary Health original articles

Abstract Background In 2017, the Lancet group launched The Lancet Planetary Health to promote the dissemination of research conducted in this field. Planetary health was also extensively discussed during the World Congress on Public Health 2020, which underlines the strategic importance recognized to this topic by experts and researchers active in public health at an international level. The aim was to investigate the role of public health university departments in the field of planetary health. Methods The Lancet Planetary Health database was queried from the inception to February 2021, to retrieve original articles or reviews whose first and/or last author was affiliated to a University Department of Public Health worldwide. We used the twenty-six EUPHA operational sections to define the research areas of the identified articles. The following data were extracted: study design, EUPHA area, research question, topic, identified gaps in the literature, and key concepts. Results Out of 543 entries, 44 original articles and reviews were included. Thirty-two percent studies were conducted in Asia, 20% in America, 13% in Europe, 8% in Oceania, 4% in Africa while 23% in a multicentric global context. The area investigated was mainly environmental and health (68%) followed by infectious disease control (14%). Collaboration across different disciplines is highly present in the authorships. Regarding the study design, 30% of the included articles were cohort studies. Conclusions From 2017 till February 2021, the number of studies performed by public health researchers published on The Lancet Planetary Health is gradually increasing. Since published articles take advantage of the typical research methods and topics of public health and environmental health research, public health university departments can contribute to planetary health science if they seek transdisciplinary collaboration and adopt a planetary health vision.

The effect of two different lancets and heel warming on duration of crying and procedure time during blood sampling: A randomized controlled study

ObjectiveThe study was performed to investigate the effect of two different lancets and heel warming during blood sampling from the heel on procedure duration and crying. MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial study. The data were obtained from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Istanbul between January 2015 and January 2016. One hundred twenty newborns were randomly assigned to four groups — automatic lancet with/without warming and manual lancet with/without warming. The newborns were administered heel puncture for routine blood bilirubin monitoring. ResultThere was no statistically significant difference between the four groups in terms of the characteristics that could affect the outcome of the study. The infants in the manual lancet group without warming were found to have longer duration of crying and longer procedure durations than the other groups. The procedure durations of infants in the manual lancet group with warming were significantly longer than those in the automatic lancet group with warming. ConclusionThis study show that both heel warming and using automatic lancet are effective in reducing the durations of the procedure and crying during blood sampling from the heel.

Maintaining the integrity of the scientific record: corrections and best practices at The Lancet group

A transparent corrections process is essential to assist in the maintenance of public confidence in scientific and medical research. In the era of preprints, fast-paced peer review, and early-access publication, errors and oversights from both authors and editors might be more common. The swift and open correction of the public record requires the participation of authors, journal editors, and publishers, and in this Viewpoint we share The Lancet group’s best practices around errors and corrections.

Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay 2020: passing the baton to the next generation of health workers

In 2020, health workers have worked tirelessly in response to COVID-19. For this year's Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize,1 we called for essays of the experiences of health professionals in China during the COVID-19 pandemic and were delighted to receive around 63 submissions. Two editors at the Lancet Group shortlisted the top essays, which were sent anonymously to a voting panel at Peking University and Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. The submissions touched our hearts. Essays depicted the bravery of health workers who left their homes to volunteer on the front lines, the professionalism of doctors and nurses who triaged patients in clinics and cared for the sickest patients in intensive care units, the multidisciplinary team work in Fangcang shelter hospitals, as well as the dedication of public health officials and community health workers who helped to control transmission of the virus.

The Effects of Manual and Automatic Lancets on Neonatal Capillary Heel Blood Sampling Pain: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of manual lancets and automatic lancets on neonatal capillary heel blood sampling pain. Design and methodsThis was a parallel-group, prospective, randomized controlled and observational trial. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to the manual lancet (odd days of the month) and automatic lancet groups (even days of the month) for capillary heel blood sampling. The sample consisted of 60 term neonates divided into two groups: Manual lancet (n = 30) and automatic lancet (n = 30). Heart rate, oxygen saturation, duration of blood collection, presence of crying, number of heel punctures, possible complications and pain were measured. ResultsThe manual lancet group had significantly lower oxygen saturation (P = .000), higher mean heart rate (P = .008), more crying neonates (P = .000), higher number of punctures for blood sampling (P = .000) and longer mean duration of blood collection (P = .000) than the automatic lancet group. While there was no difference in the prevalence of elevated temperature, stiffness and edema between the two groups, the automatic lancet group had less redness (P = .028), bruising (P = .000) and a significantly lower mean Neonatal Infant Pain Score than the manual lancet group (P = .000). ConclusionUse of automatic lancets for heel blood sampling helps reduce pain in neonates which is of critical importance. Practice implicationsUse of automatic lancets for heel blood sampling helps reduce pain in neonates. Therefore, neonatal nurses should routinely use automatic lancets in clinical settings to cause less pain in neonates.

Biochemical and Pain Comparisons Between the Laser Lancing Device and Needle Lancets for Capillary Blood Sampling: A Randomized Control Trial.

Patients around the world use a lancing device to perform self-monitoring of blood sugar (SMBG). However, there are always fears of needles and pain. Therefore, less painful devices are being developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the usefulness and safety of a laser lancing device (without a needle) to a conventional needle lancet (with a needle) for capillary blood sampling. A total of 40 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Capillary blood was collected from a laser lancing device (without a needle) and a conventional needle lancet (with a needle) on opposite fingers, the choice of which was randomly selected. The laser lancing device (LMT-3000) uses a 2940 nm mono-pulse laser, a radiation field of 350 μm, laser energy of 210 mJ, and a 3.7 V battery. One week later, capillary blood was obtained by switching the devices and fingers. The biochemical measurements and pain were compared between the two groups. Puncture pain was measured on a pain scale from 0 to 10. All patients were tested with both a laser lancing device and a conventional needle lancet. In the biochemical analysis, the blood glucose level was 103.21 ± 17.20 mg/dl in laser lancing device group and 102.25 ± 22.44 mg/dl in the conventional needle lancet group, and there were no significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.940). The pH, CO2 , O2 , lactate and hematocrit levels of the blood were no significant differences between the two groups. In the first trial, the median pain score (interquartile range) of patients using laser lancing device was 2.0 (1.0-3.0), whereas it was 2.5 (2.0-4.0) in patients using a conventional needle lancet (P = 0.029). In the second trial, one week later, the median pain score in the laser lancing device group was 2.5 (1.0-4.0), whereas it was 3.5 (2.25-5.0) in the conventional needle lancet group (P = 0.001). The difference in pain scores between the first and second trials was significant in the conventional needle lancet group (P = 0.007), but not in the laser lancing device group (P = 0.150). There was no difference in biochemical results between the laser lancing device group and the conventional needle lancet group. The laser lancing device demonstrated comparatively lower pain than the conventional needle lancet. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Children in institutional settings

It is difficult to imagine now, but during the 1970s there were nearly 40 000 children living in institutions in England. The experience could be horrific for children. The reports of the abuse and maltreatment of many of those children that took place are widespread and led to a marked decline in the use of institutional homes for children and a drive towards fostering for most children entering care. 1 Narey M Residential care in England: report of Sir Martin Narey's independent review of children's residential care. Department for Education, London, UK2016 Google Scholar Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children 1: a systematic and integrative review of evidence regarding effects on developmentMillions of children worldwide are brought up in institutional care settings rather than in families. These institutions vary greatly both in terms of their organisational principles and structure, and in terms of the quality of care provided. Although institutions are universally recognised as providing suboptimal caregiving environments, consensus is still needed on how to interpret the evidence relating to the size, range, and persistence of the effect of institutional care on the development and wellbeing of children. Full-Text PDF Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children 2: policy and practice recommendations for global, national, and local actorsWorldwide, millions of children live in institutions, which runs counter to both the UN-recognised right of children to be raised in a family environment, and the findings of our accompanying systematic review of the physical, neurobiological, psychological, and mental health costs of institutionalisation and the benefits of deinstitutionalisation of child welfare systems. In this part of the Commission, international experts in reforming care for children identified evidence-based policy recommendations to promote family-based alternatives to institutionalisation. Full-Text PDF Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children: the Executive Summary from a Lancet Group CommissionThis Lancet Group Commission advocates global reform of the care of separated children through the progressive replacement of institutional provision with safe and nurturing family-based care. It provides essential information on both the global scale of institutionalisation and its physical, social, and mental health consequences. It presents a pragmatic roadmap for carefully managed change. Here we outline the ten key messages from the Commission. Full-Text PDF Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children – Authors' replyThe Lancet Commission Group appreciates the important comments from the Validity Foundation, European Network on Independent Living, Disability Rights International, Inclusion International, and the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Full-Text PDF

Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children: the Executive Summary from a Lancet Group Commission

This Lancet Group Commission advocates global reform of the care of separated children through the progressive replacement of institutional provision with safe and nurturing family-based care. It provides essential information on both the global scale of institutionalisation and its physical, social, and mental health consequences. It presents a pragmatic roadmap for carefully managed change. Here we outline the ten key messages from the Commission.

A child's right to family

“People who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it.” This quote by George Bernard Shaw was used as the title of an article about a severely disabled boy in Rwanda with cerebral palsy who made remarkable developmental gains after being deinstitutionalised and placed in a foster family by Hope for Homes for Children,1 an organisation at the forefront of a growing global movement to eliminate institutional care. The first part of the Lancet Group Commission on institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children in The Lancet Psychiatry by Marinus van IJzendoorn and colleagues2 highlights the necessity of deinstitutionalising children, and the second part in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health by Philip Goldman and colleagues3 provides a blueprint for achieving this goal.

The effects of physical distancing on population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK

The effects of physical distancing on population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK

Interstitial lung diseases: a call for papers

New technologies, improved diagnostics and treatments, and the introduction of multidisciplinary patient care have resulted in many advances in the treatment and management of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and lung and airway fibrosis. To highlight some of the latest research, we will be publishing a special themed issue on ILDs to coincide with the 21st international colloquium on lung and airway fibrosis (ICLAF) on Oct 3–7, 2020, in Reykjavik, Iceland. We are therefore calling for high-quality submissions of research articles in the area of ILDs; we particularly welcome clinical trials. The Lancet group is dedicated to advancing respiratory and critical care medicine. Therefore, the journal has a rigorous fast-track process for original research, in which selected papers can be published online within 8 weeks from submission. This reflects our belief that your research should be disseminated to the community in a timely manner.

NewsCAP: Lancet Group publishes commitment to gender equity and diversity.

NewsCAP: Lancet Group publishes commitment to gender equity and diversity.