Normal reference ranges for echocardiography: do we really need more?

Normal reference ranges for echocardiography: do we really need more?

Echocardiography is themostwidelyusednon-invasivecardiac imaging for assessing the cardiac structure and function. Echocardiography has the advantage of low cost, no radiation risk, and great availability. However, as for any diagnostic test, its interpretation depends on its ability to accurately detect abnormalities. Actually, the definition of ‘abnormal’ relies on the definition of ‘normal’ ...

Ramadan fasting: Do we need more evidence?

Over a billion of Muslims fast worldwide during Ramadan each year. Through this religious custom, fasting contributes to their health as well as their spiritual growth. However, available evidence regarding the health-benefits of Ramadan fasting is scarce and highly contentious. Although Islam exempts patients from fasting, many fast conceivably, and their clinical condition is prone to deterio...

Do we really need more biomarkers?

Do we really need more research?

Vitamin D and lipids: do we really need more studies?

The interest in vitamin D has exploded during the last decade, illustrated by the number of new vitamin D–related articles registered in PubMed, which is between 50 and 100 every week. This is also reflected in the lay press, with numerous articles promoting the beneficial effects of the D-lightful sunshine hormone vitamin D. If read uncritically, vitamin D appears to be good for almost any con...