A recent study conducted by Lund University in Sweden through an analysis of the Swedish National Cancer Register found that 20% of people with lymphoma had a tattoo. The risk was 81% higher for people with tattoos to contract lymphoma in the first two years of getting the tattoo.

What is Actually Causing The Increased Risk?

Overall, what the study had found was that the risk of contracting lymphoma seemed to be connected to the time they had gotten the tattoo. 3 years after their initial tattooing, this risk dropped and then increased again by 19% after 11 years. The size of the tattoo appeared to have no impact on the risk, interestingly enough.

However, the study could not isolate the specific factors that could be causing lymphoma. According to the authors, the study “adjusted for several lifestyle factors like smoking or eocioeconomic status”, however tattoos in themselves appeared to be the risk factor.

From what is already known on tattoo ink materials, tattoos can contain carcinogens that enter the body and end up inside the lymph nodes themselves. However, researchers haven’t been able to specifically tie this phenomenon to an increased cancer risk. Part of this is attributed to the fact that there are a lot of different possible ingredients in tattoo ink, which can make understanding the side-effects quite difficult.

What Do The Study’s Authors Recommend For Tattooists

Despite the findings, the study’s authors did assert that tattoo popularity has increased since the early 2000s and that most of the research team had tattoos. However, they believe that the health impact haven’t been effectively studied.

They believe that the findings do not indicate a need to worry, however, people should still be aware of the effect that getting a tattoo has on their body and physical health.

According to Nielsen, the study’s lead author, “It is important to keep in mind that lymphoma is a very rare disease, and that the 21% increase relates to a baseline risk that is very low. However, I would like to highlight that tattooed individuals should be aware that tattoos might have adverse health effects, and that you should seek medical care if you experience any symptoms that you think may be tattoo-related.

A new once-in-a-day medication, Obicetrapib, has the attention of the medical within the international medical community since recent Phase 3 clinical trial results showed it had the potential to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lipoprotein(a), both primary risk factors for heart attack and stroke. What makes this breakthrough. so special is its easy, once-a-day oral tablet form—a potential game-changer for millions who struggle to keep their cholesterol under control despite already being on aggressive treatment plans.

The breaththrough BROADWAY trial, conducted by Monash University's Victorian Heart Institute in Australia under the leadership of Professor Stephen Nicholls, recruited more than 2,500 patients with an age of approximately 65. They were either suffering from pre-existing cardiovascular disease or genetically elevated cholesterol levels and were already on the highest tolerable intensity of conventional cholesterol medications.

Members of the trial group were given either the experimental drug Obicetrapib or a placebo, in addition to their standard cholesterol-lowering treatments. In as little as 12 weeks, individuals taking Obicetrapib had a 32.6% reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 33.5% reduction in lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a])—a remarkable achievement, particularly given that Lp(a) has been notoriously resistant to treatment by conventional medicine.

In spite of the availability of statins and other lipid-lowering drug therapies, much of the patient population still cannot achieve guideline-recommended targets for LDL cholesterol and are thus at ongoing risk of heart attack and stroke.

LDL cholesterol can build up in blood vessels, forming plaques that narrow arteries and reduce blood flow—events that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Lp(a), on the other hand, is an inherited protein that promotes blood clotting and arterial damage, with few if any effective treatments on the market.

"Such individuals, it appears, may not achieve their cholesterol levels low enough despite the optimal available therapies," explained Professor Nicholls. "Obicetrapib represents a promising new alternative—not only did it reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 30%, but we also witnessed a decrease in Lp(a), which is much more difficult to lower and is associated with elevated heart disease risk."

In contrast to many therapies that act on one type of lipid, Obicetrapib has the advantage of reducing both LDL and Lp(a)—a feat few drugs have managed to do. Having this dual effect in a single once-a-day oral tablet is an added convenience for already-complex medication regimens for patients.

Another noteworthy feature of the trial was how tolerable the drug was. Obicetrapib was widely welcomed by most participants, having no apprehending side effects or safety issues, based on the findings reported in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented during the European Atherosclerosis Society Congress in Glasgow.

Although Obicetrapib's impact in lowering LDL and Lp(a) is quite remarkable, the research didn't account for direct measures such as real reduction in heart attacks or strokes. Still, the relationship between lower LDL/Lp(a) and decreased cardiovascular risk has long been documented in medical research.

What this trial does, however, is offer strong evidence for a next-generation lipid-lowering therapy that could address the needs of patients who haven’t responded well to existing treatments. In clinical settings, even a 1% drop in LDL can translate to significant reductions in cardiovascular events over time.

Obicetrapib is being developed by NewAmsterdam Pharma, a Netherlands-based company. Although the BROADWAY trial has shown encouraging early findings, further studies on long-term endpoints—such as actual decreases in heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular mortality—are needed before regulatory bodies such as the FDA can grant approval for its broad use.

There's also the issue of how well Obicetrapib would work in individuals specifically chosen for high Lp(a), something this trial wasn't set up to test. Future research will explore these subpopulations more deeply.

Even so, authorities think the early indication is promising. "A valuable weapon in the war against heart disease," replied Nicholls. "It's easy to use, it works, and it could help bridge the gap for those who've exhausted their choices."

As cardiovascular disease continues to be the global leading cause of death, advances such as Obicetrapib could be the solution to confronting what is still a chronic global health problem. A once-a-day tablet that lowers both LDL and Lp(a) in a safe manner could transform primary and secondary prevention in cardiology, especially among high-risk patients already on multiple drugs.

Convenience and adherence are critical to the success of treatment, particularly in populations that are elderly or have multiple chronic diseases. A once-daily formulation ensures fewer side effects and increases the chances that patients will adhere to regimen compliance, leading to improved long-term outcomes.

As more research is conducted before Obicetrapib is an everyday addition to managing cholesterol, this experimental medication holds real potential. By successfully lowering two of the top heart disease villains in a single easy dose, it can potentially close a very important treatment gap for those most at risk.

India's active cases of COVID-19 has finally started to decline marginally. On Monday, India logged 7,264 active cases, a decrease from 7,383 the day before, giving rise to hope with caution. The number of daily infections went down by 119, showcasing a pattern that health authorities have been keeping a close eye on. However, lurking behind these bettering figures is a shocking trend- eleven people succumbed to COVID-related factors in 24 hours, most of them in old people suffering from underlying conditions.

This troubling contrast displays the painful reality of the post-peak pandemic world, though the virus is no longer an indiscriminate public risk due to hybrid immunity and vaccination, it is still lethally hazardous to age-vulnerable and disease-ridden individuals.

Seven of the eleven deaths were reported in Kerala, as per data that India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh each registered one death.

Two elderly patients with severe comorbidities were among those who died recently of COVID-19 in India. In Chhattisgarh, an 85-year-old man died from complications of chronic respiratory failure and interstitial lung disease (ILD), as well as an active case of COVID-19. In Delhi, a 67-year-old man receiving chemotherapy for metastatic lung cancer died from acute respiratory failure and COVID pneumonia. Both examples highlight how underlying medical conditions, particularly respiratory disease and immunosuppressive cancer treatments, can greatly enhance the risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 among older people. A 52-year-old Madhya Pradesh woman who is diabetic with a history of bronchial asthma and tuberculosis.

In Kerala, the victims were between 60 and 85 years old and had conditions such as pneumonia, MODS (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome), cirrhosis, leukemia, and autoimmune complications.

They are not isolated cases, they follow a very predictable, perilous pattern- COVID-19 continues to take advantage of the body's weaknesses among the elderly and chronically ill, very often converting treatable conditions into lethal ones.

Why the Elderly At Maximum Risk of Exposure?

India is presently struggling with upcoming subvariants such as LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and the recently discovered NB.1.8.1. Although not more deadly than previous strains, these variations could be a greater threat to immune-compromised individuals. That includes the elderly, particularly those fighting diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal dysfunction, respiratory diseases, cancer, or autoimmune conditions.

Infectious disease specialists describe how, though overall population immunity is better, these variants still infiltrate weakened immune defenses. For a cancer or diabetic patient, even a moderate viral load will tip the balance into organ failure.

Also Read: Covid-19 Active Cases Cross 7,100 In India But Signs Point To A Slowdown—How To Stay Protected Now?

Why COVID-19 Becomes Lethal in the Elderly with Comorbidities?

1. Immune Senescence

The natural process of aging drains immune effectiveness. Older people undergo "immune senescence," a state of affairs in which the body's protective mechanisms are slower and less coordinated. Consequently, T-cells and B-cells respond sluggishly to novel threats, permitting viral infections such as COVID-19 to establish themselves more quickly and aggressively.

In the Chhattisgarh death, for example, the 85-year-old man had both chronic lung disease and ILD, which would have severely compromised lung function and immune protection—even a minor infection would have been catastrophic.

2. Comorbidities Compound the Crisis

Diseases such as diabetes, cirrhosis, COPD, chronic kidney disease, or cancer are force multipliers for COVID-19. Such diseases not only weaken organs but also induce systemic inflammation. When the body is entered by SARS-CoV-2, it tends to induce a hyperinflammatory immune response (cytokine storm)—which, in patients with prior health burdens, quickly results in organ failure.

Kerala's toll illustrates this crossing. An 83-year-old man suffering from pneumonia and sepsis died when COVID swung the balance in favor of MODS. A patient with liver cirrhosis and respiratory failure shared the same fatal course.

3. Chain Reaction

When COVID and comorbidities meet, the outcome is usually Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) or septic shock. The virus does not target only the lungs—it can impair kidneys, the heart, and the brain, particularly among patients who have pre-existing vulnerabilities.

The 67-year-old Delhi man with metastatic lung cancer didn't only die of COVID pneumonia but of the compounded failure of his immune system and treatment-fatigued body. Such cascading failures are too fast and daunting for even the latest care measures to counter.

4. Special Populations

Some are especially vulnerable, such as those receiving chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and those with autoimmune disorders. Immunosuppressive treatments leave such patients vulnerable to infection, even during periods of low community transmission.

One of Kerala's victims, a 71-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia, CNS aspergillosis, and graft-versus-host disease, illustrates how rapidly COVID-19 can progress to ARDS and systemic failure in high-risk patients.

Why Vaccine May Not Be the Solution

Indian and international health experts are counseling against broad booster drives in light of the fact that hybrid immunity resulting from vaccination and past infection is present in a majority of the population. Instead, a more focused approach is being suggested: giving priority to boosters and preventive treatment to the elderly and the comorbid. This entails:

• Early vaccination among those above 60
• Preventive antiviral medicines
• Increased indoor ventilation and mask-wearing in healthcare facilities
• Prioritizing early hospitalization and testing for high-risk groups

Although India's COVID-19 trajectory appears stable or trending downwards, the virus is still a threat to certain populations. The story about COVID now being "just a cold" simply isn't true for all people—especially not for the old, chronically sick, or immunocompromised.

As the virus keeps on mutating, its lethal effect on high-risk groups is far from gone. Public health policy has to catch up on that. That implies not only marking reduced case numbers—but actually safeguarding those who remain most vulnerable.

COVID-19 no longer makes front-page news around the world, but it still kills quietly in the back rooms—most often in hospital ICUs full of old folks battling not only the virus, but years of chronic illness.

In 2025, the task is no longer to eliminate COVID but to close the gap between exposure and mortality in high-risk populations. That is to say, clinical watchfulness, policy accuracy, and public sensibility must now be directed towards people who cannot afford to drop their guard.

Senior Congress leader, Sonia Gandhi, has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, after her health conditions worsened on Sunday, June 15. She was admitted to the hospital due to stomach-related issues, which had been confirmed by the hospital in a statement. She is now kept under observation under the gastroenterology department.

Last month only, Gandhi underwent an MRI scan at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla. She had been admitted to Shimla unit from her private residence in Chharabara with restlessness. The IGMC doctors noted that her blood pressure was "marginally higher than normal", however, she was "normal and stable" during her routine checkup and had "some minor ailments."

Sonia Gandhi's Health History

Last year, in an emotional letter that Gandhi penned down right before the Lok Sabha polls, she noted that she will not be contesting for the polls due to her health and age issues.

The now 78-year-old, wrote, "I am proud to say that whatever I am today, I am because of you and I have always done my best to honour your trust. Now on account of health and age issues, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha election."

Before this too, in 2020, when the world was struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi had missed the first part of the Parliament session, as they had gone abroad for Mrs Gandhi's annual check-up.

In 2011, she had gone to the US, for a surgery, the medical condition remains undisclosed. However, the Press Trust of India reported, "It was learnt tonight that the Congress leader had undergone a successful surgery in a US Hospital." In the US, she was admitted to New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

While the medical condition remains unknown, the then Party General Secretary, Janardhan Dwivedi said, that she was "recently diagnosed with a medical condition that required surgery."

While it the cause for the recent medical condition is also unknown, here are some of the common "stomach-related issues" that are related to old age:

As per a 2011 study, titled Gastrointestinal issues in the older female patient, some gastrointestinal issues may be more common in the elderly population and possibly in older women. These issues range from motility disorders, such as fecal incontinence and constipation, to changes in neuropeptide function and its effect on the anorexia of aging.

Another 2019 study published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, titled Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Disorder in Older Age notes that GI changes in the elderly are common. "While some changes associated with aging GI system are physiologic, others are pathological and particularly more prevalent among those above age 65 years." notes the study.

An article written by Michael Bartel, MD, PhD, Fairfax, Virginia, aging is a factor in several digestive system disorders.

In particular, older adults are more likely to develop diverticulosis and to have digestive tract disorders (for example, constipation—see Large intestine and rectum) as a side effect of taking certain medications. Also, changes in the gut microbiome (all the bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that live in the digestive tract) with age may be connected to overall healthy aging and may affect obesity, metabolic disorders, inflammation, cancer, depression, or other health issues.

Esophagus

As people age, the strength of esophageal contractions and the tension in the upper sphincter decline (a condition called presbyesophagus), but food movement usually remains unaffected. However, some older adults may develop disorders that disrupt these contractions.

Stomach

Aging reduces the stomach lining’s ability to resist damage, increasing the risk of ulcers, especially with NSAID use. The stomach also becomes less elastic and empties more slowly, though these changes rarely cause symptoms. Acid and enzyme secretion generally stay stable, but conditions like atrophic gastritis, which lower acid production, become more common and may lead to issues like vitamin B12 deficiency or bacterial overgrowth.

Small Intestine

Aging causes little structural change in the small intestine, so nutrient absorption mostly remains intact. However, reduced lactase levels can cause lactose intolerance, and bacterial overgrowth becomes more common, leading to bloating, pain, weight loss, and poor absorption of nutrients like B12, iron, and calcium.

Pancreas, Liver, and Gallbladder

The pancreas shrinks slightly and may develop some scarring, but its enzyme production remains adequate. The liver and gallbladder undergo structural changes, but these generally don’t impair their digestive functions.

Large Intestine and Rectum

The large intestine changes little with age, though the rectum may enlarge. Constipation becomes more frequent due to slower movement, weaker rectal contractions, reduced activity, medication use, and, in women, pelvic floor weakness—which can also cause fecal incontinence.