Medical Editor
Dr. Sofia Müller, MD
Lifespan & Whole-Person Care — Population health, longitudinal cohorts, care-delivery and goals-of-care research.
Dr. Sofia Müller is a freelance medical writer and physician based in Basel, Switzerland, specializing in Lifespan & Whole-Person Care with over 9+ years of combined clinical and medical writing experience. She holds an MD from the University of Zurich and is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. She also holds additional training in public health, palliative care, and clinical epidemiology.
Sofia focuses on population health research, longitudinal cohort studies, and care delivery models across pediatrics, women's health, geriatrics, palliative care, and primary care medicine. She has extensive experience working on studies related to aging populations, chronic disease management, and integrated care systems.
Before transitioning into medical writing, she practiced as a hospital-based internist and geriatrician, where she developed a strong interest in health systems research and patient-centered care frameworks. She is known for her ability to translate complex clinical and population-level data into clear, actionable scientific communication for diverse audiences.
Articles in this group — last 14 days
Multifactorial risk factors and preventive strategies for children with precocious puberty
Identifying Key Risk Factors for Children with Precocious Puberty
This narrative review synthesizes risk factors for precocious puberty across eight domains including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle f…
New research identifies eight different areas, from genetics to lifestyle, that may influence the risk of early puberty in children.
Natural products improve gut microbiota and antioxidant defenses in aging animal models
Gut Bacteria Tied to Better Memory in Aging Animals
This systematic review of 17 studies examines how various natural products, including plant-derived compounds and probiotics, affect aging i…
In aged animals, natural compounds shifted gut bacteria and were linked to better memory and lower inflammation.
PDA closure rates decrease significantly after second and third courses of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in preterm infants
Repeated drug courses show lower closure rates for heart defects
This meta-analysis of 33 studies evaluates the efficacy of repeated cyclooxygenase inhibitor courses for Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) clos…
New data shows that preterm infants may have lower rates of heart defect closure after multiple rounds of medication.
Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia provide management guidance
Sleep Care Plan for Early Dementia: Best Evidence
This integrative review and guideline identifies 44 evidence items across 11 themes for managing sleep disturbances in patients with mild co…
A new review maps 44 best evidence items for managing sleep problems in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia.
Kenya eye health policy lacks mandated budget allocations despite inclusion in county integrated development plans
Policy Analysis Reveals Gaps in Kenya Eye Health Funding
This policy analysis evaluates eye health integration and financing within Kenya's devolved health system across 7 counties. While all 7 cou…
New analysis of Kenya's health system shows that while eye health is mentioned in local plans, specific budget tracking remains difficult to…
Cultural Consensus Modeling Feasible for Capturing Health Priorities in Underserved Arizona Communities
Cultural Modeling Helps Identify Health Priorities in Underserved Communities
This guideline and feasibility study describes integrating Cultural Consensus Modeling into community-engaged public health research within …
A new approach using Cultural Consensus Modeling helps researchers identify local health priorities and community assets in underserved rura…
FEP OH curriculum shows 61.3% coverage of COHFE frontline competencies in India
Mapping training gaps for India's One Health field workers
This curriculum mapping study evaluates the alignment of India's Field Epidemiology Programme in One Health (FEP OH) materials against the C…
A review of training materials reveals significant gaps in how field workers are taught to manage ecosystem health and disease management.
Hybrid Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS framework provides a systematic method for ranking digital mental health applications
New Method Ranks Mental Health Apps By Clinical Relevance
This guideline presents a methodological framework using hybrid Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS to rank digital mental health applications based on cli…
A new scoring method says clinical relevance and privacy matter most when ranking mental health apps, not engagement.
LLM chatbots provide varying quality and clinical risk signals for vascular disease management information
Chatbots show varying quality when giving advice on vascular disease
This guideline-based cross-sectional benchmark study evaluates the quality, readability, and clinical-risk signals of 110 responses from fiv…
New research shows that AI chatbots provide inconsistent and varying quality of information when answering questions about vascular disease …
A core set of practice-oriented competencies facilitates integrating climate change into field epidemiology training programs
New framework helps train experts to handle climate health risks
This guideline based on a Delphi study establishes a core set of practice-oriented competencies for integrating climate change and environme…
A new set of core skills helps train health experts to manage and track diseases caused by a changing climate.
ChatGPT-5.5 Instant shows higher accuracy and safety scores than DeepSeek-V3 for HPV inquiries
ChatGPT shows higher accuracy than DeepSeek for HPV health questions
This methodological study evaluates the performance of ChatGPT-5.5 Instant and DeepSeek-V3 in responding to patient questions regarding high…
One AI model provided safer and more complete answers regarding high-risk HPV infections than its competitor in a new comparison.
Long-term care insurance policies in Guangxi show good quality with specific distribution gaps
Analysis reveals quality of long-term care insurance policy documents
This guideline evaluates 9 core long-term care insurance policy documents using the PMC index model and policy tool analysis. The analysis f…
A review of long-term care insurance policies shows good overall quality but highlights a need for better incentives and more active communi…
Adherence to 24-h movement guidelines reduces non-suicidal self-injury odds in adolescents
Movement Guidelines Linked to Lower Risk of Self-Injury in Teens
This guideline based on an observational study of 4,205 adolescents examines the link between 24-h movement guidelines and non-suicidal self…
Following daily movement guidelines for sleep, exercise, and screen time may be linked to lower rates of self-injury among adolescents.
Digitally augmented intervention increases 6-month abstinence from health-risk behaviors by RR 1.51
Text Messages After ER Visit Cut Risky Habits
This randomized controlled trial of 572 adults in an emergency department found that a digitally augmented, theory-based intervention signif…
A 6-month program of phone advice plus weekly messages helped more ER patients cut back on smoking, drinking, or inactivity.
OPTIMUM telehealth mindfulness program improves PEG scores in chronic low back pain patients
Telehealth Mindfulness Program Shows Improvement for Chronic Back Pain
This randomized clinical trial of 451 adults with chronic low back pain found that the 8-week OPTIMUM telehealth mindfulness program signifi…
A telehealth mindfulness program showed statistically significant improvements in pain and activity levels for adults with chronic low back …
Community-based PrEP delivery linked to higher willingness and risk behavior changes in MSM
Community Based Delivery Increases PrEP Willingness for HIV Prevention
This meta-analysis of observational and community-based data examines community-based PrEP delivery among men who have sex with men. It repo…
Community based delivery of PrEP significantly increases willingness to take the medication and improves risk behaviors for men who have sex…
Four mailer types aim to increase health care proxy documentation in patients with chronic conditions
New trial plans to use mailers to help patients name proxies
This study protocol describes a factorial randomized trial of approximately 20,000 patients with cancer, congestive heart failure, or chroni…
A new study plans to see if different types of mailers can help patients with serious illnesses name a healthcare proxy.
Incarceration acts as a structural determinant of health with higher rates of chronic and infectious diseases
Incarceration Linked to Higher Rates of Mental Illness and HIV
This narrative review of 167 articles examines the health status and care utilization of incarcerated adults in Canada. It finds significant…
People in correctional centers face higher rates of mental illness and chronic diseases compared to those living in the community.
Risk prediction models for anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury show pooled AUC of 0.81
Risk Prediction Models Help Identify Liver Damage from Tuberculosis Drugs
This meta-analysis of 26 studies involving 41,734 cases evaluated risk prediction models for anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury (AT…
New risk models can help identify patients at risk for liver injury when taking tuberculosis medications, especially those with specific hea…
Intraoperative traction shows favorable but imprecise association with correction rates in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Intraoperative Traction Shows Potential for Scoliosis Correction Rates
This meta-analysis of 4 studies involving 450 participants evaluated intraoperative traction for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The analys…
A review of surgical data suggests that intraoperative traction may improve correction rates for adolescents with scoliosis, though evidence…
Biological aging research favors non-methylation biomarkers in 309 of 435 papers
Scientists examine different ways to measure how the body ages over time
This scoping review analyzed 435 papers on biological aging research, finding that 309 focused on non-methylation-based biomarkers. The auth…
Researchers looked at hundreds of papers to find better ways to measure biological aging using various molecular markers and new metrics.
Mind-body exercise improves balance in pre-frail and frail older adults
Mind-Body Exercise Improves Balance in Frail Older Adults
Mind-body exercise significantly improves balance in pre-frail and frail older adults, with dynamic and static balance gains. Early interven…
Mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and Yoga can significantly improve both static and dynamic balance for older adults who are at risk of frai…
PMSA-2025 screening tool achieves high content validity for identifying mild malnutrition in children
New screening tool helps identify mild malnutrition in young children
This guideline provides a consensus-based refinement and validation of the PMSA-2025 pediatric malnutrition screening algorithm. The tool ac…
A new screening tool helps doctors and community workers identify children with mild malnutrition risk in outpatient and community settings.
Immediate skin-to-skin contact for 2 hours improves infant and maternal outcomes in neonatal care
New guidelines recommend skin-to-skin contact for mothers and newborns
This national guideline from Sweden recommends immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for at least 2 hours following birth. The gu…
New guidelines suggest that immediate skin-to-skin contact for two hours after birth can improve health for both mothers and their newborns.
Prophylactic oral antibiotics do not reduce cholangitis incidence in patients with biliary atresia
Antibiotics do not prevent infection after Kasai portoenterostomy surgery
This meta-analysis of 516 patients with biliary atresia who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy found that prophylactic oral antibiotics did no…
New data shows that giving oral antibiotics does not prevent infections in children with biliary atresia after surgery.
Off-label growth hormone yields catch-up growth in Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome case
Growth Hormone Shows Early Promise in Rare Genetic Syndrome
This case report describes a pediatric patient with Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome (CDC42 p.Arg68Gln variant) treated off-label with recombinant…
A single case report describes catch-up growth in a child with Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome after growth hormone treatment.
Ethanol sclerotherapy for ovarian endometriomas: protocol for 288-woman RCT
Ethanol Injections for Endometriosis Cysts: Trial Protocol Aims to Test Quality of Life
This is a protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial of ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy versus expectant management in 2…
A new trial will test whether injecting ethanol into ovarian endometriosis cysts improves quality of life better than waiting.
Evaluating Magnesium Sulfate Availability and Utilization for Preeclampsia in Sub-Saharan Africa
Magnesium Sulfate Availability and Use in Sub-Saharan Africa
While magnesium sulfate is available in many rural clinics, significant systemic barriers and underutilization persist in managing preeclamp…
Magnesium sulfate is available in many African clinics, but it is currently underutilized for treating preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Self-weaning shows no significant difference from dose-adjusted weaning in caffeine duration for apnea of prematurity
Caffeine weaning methods show no difference for preterm infants
This prospective cohort study of 204 preterm infants found no significant difference between self-weaning and dose-adjusted weaning for caff…
New data suggests that simplifying how doctors taper caffeine for preterm babies may be just as effective as complex dose adjustments.
Synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation reduces extubation failure in preterm infants with respiratory distress
Synchronized Ventilation May Reduce Extubation Failure in Preterm Infants
This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation on extubation failure and respirato…
A new analysis suggests that synchronized nasal ventilation helps preterm infants breathe easier and reduces the risk of failing to breathe …
Schroth and bracing show a trend toward better short-term Cobb angle control in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Bracing and Schroth Training Show Promise for Scoliosis Control
This network meta-analysis of 709 patients evaluated various non-surgical interventions for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The analysis fo…
New analysis suggests that bracing and Schroth training may help manage the Cobb angle in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
Intentional human-animal interactions significantly impact human microbiome composition in 24 of 30 reported publications
Pet ownership and interaction may change your internal microbiome
This scoping review synthesized 30 publications regarding the impact of intentional, non-occupational human-animal interactions on human hea…
Spending time with animals could shift the balance of your microbiome, the community of microbes living inside your body.
Acupuncture and moxibustion improve adenoid to nasopharynx ratio in children with adenoid hypertrophy
Acupuncture and Moxibustion May Ease Children's Adenoid Hypertrophy
This network meta-analysis evaluated various acupuncture and moxibustion techniques for children with adenoid hypertrophy. The analysis foun…
A review of 20+ studies hints acupuncture and moxibustion may reduce adenoid size and ease breathing in children, but evidence is weak.
Cultural practices, wildlife trade, and climate shifts drive zoonotic spillover risks in Africa
Climate Change and Wildlife Trade Increase Zoonotic Disease Risks
This narrative review synthesizes evidence regarding zoonotic spillover risk factors in Africa, highlighting how bushmeat consumption, wildl…
Climate change and wildlife trade are creating new pathways for diseases to jump from animals to humans in Africa.
Vitamin B6 serves as a first-line foundational treatment for mild-to-moderate nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
Vitamin B6 Shows Promise for Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
This narrative review examines the clinical efficacy and mechanisms of vitamin B6 in managing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). The au…
Vitamin B6 is supported as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, especially when paired with dox…
Lifestyle Medicine can reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in global health contexts
Lifestyle Medicine Could Ease Global Disease Burden
This white paper based on a consensus meeting of 26 global LM professionals explores the role of Lifestyle Medicine in managing non-communic…
A global consensus suggests lifestyle medicine can reduce the burden of chronic diseases, but more research is needed.
Evaluating Localized Quality Indicators for Antimicrobial Stewardship in South African Primary Healthcare
Local adaptations improve tracking of antibiotic resistance in South Africa
A comparative analysis demonstrates that tailoring antimicrobial stewardship indicators to local contexts significantly improves feasibility…
Tailoring global health standards to local needs helps doctors better manage and track the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Tai Chi provides positive effects for balance, mood, and cognitive performance in older adults
Tai Chi Shows Positive Effects for Older Adults with Parkinson's
This evidence map synthesized 118 systematic reviews regarding Tai Chi for older adults. The findings indicate positive effects for balance,…
Tai Chi may help older adults improve balance, reduce anxiety, and manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other age-related conditions.
Audiovisual information prevents significant increase in parental anxiety during children's elective surgeries
Audiovisual information helps parents stay calm before child surgery
This randomized controlled trial of 316 parents of children undergoing elective surgeries found that audiovisual information prevented the s…
Adding videos and visuals to surgery prep can keep parent anxiety stable and improve feelings of optimism and satisfaction.
PreventCombot chatbot-based education significantly reduces postoperative complications in older adults undergoing abdominal surgery
Chatbot Education Reduces Complications for Older Surgery Patients
This randomized controlled trial of 214 older adult patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery found that PreventCombot chatbot-ba…
A chatbot-based education program may reduce complications and anxiety for older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Health warnings on social media perceived as more effective than neutral messages in teens
Social Media Warnings May Discourage Use in Teens
In this randomized clinical trial of 1012 US teenagers and young adults aged 13 to 29 years, health warnings about social media harms were p…
Teens and young adults found health warnings about social media harms more convincing than a simple break reminder, suggesting labels could …
Machine learning predicts gonorrhea antimicrobial resistance with 0.95 AUC in meta-analysis
Machine learning models accurately predict drug resistance in gonorrhea
This meta-analysis of 5 studies assessed machine learning models for predicting antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Pooled se…
New data shows machine learning can accurately predict if gonorrhea bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics.
Sarcopenia and Low Grip Strength Correlate with Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Older Adults
Low Muscle Mass and Grip Strength Linked to Heart Risks
A large-scale meta-analysis identifies sarcopenia and low grip strength as significant markers for increased cardiovascular events in elderl…
Lower muscle mass and weaker grip strength are linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke in older adults.
Smoking Cessation Aids Parents of Chronically Ill Children
Smoking Cessation Programs Show Mixed Results for Parents of Children
Meta-analysis finds counseling boosts short-term quit rates in parents of children with chronic disease, but effects fade.
New data shows that while some smoking cessation programs help parents quit for a short time, they do not always reduce a child's exposure t…
Augmented reality training improves student competency and performance in simulated vaginal birth care
Augmented Reality Training Improves Student Performance in Birth Care
Researchers evaluated the impact of augmented reality training compared to traditional text and video methods for medical and midwifery stud…
Students using augmented reality training showed higher scores and better task performance in simulated vaginal birth care compared to tradi…
Segmentation-based social network intervention increases daily physical activity by 12.2 minutes in adolescents
Social Support from Friends and Parents Reduces Teen Screen Time
This cluster randomized controlled trial of 787 adolescents in 4 schools found that a 10-week social network intervention increased daily ph…
A school program using social networks to build support from friends and parents helped teens move more and spend less time on screens.
Digital intervention shows no significant weight loss difference compared to standard advice at 6 months
Tailored digital tools show promise for long term weight loss
This randomized controlled trial of 288 adults with overweight and obesity found no significant difference in mean weight loss between a tai…
A new digital approach using real-time feedback may help people with weight loss stay on track for a full year.
Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions increase daily steps and weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in adults
Just-in-Time Interventions Show Promise for Increasing Daily Physical Activity
This systematic review of 6,939 adults evaluated Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) for promoting physical activity. Findings indi…
Mobile alerts and real-time reminders can help adults increase their daily step counts and weekly physical activity levels.
Only 10% of Chinese adults with diabetes demonstrate good practices for diabetic foot care
Most people with diabetes lack good foot care practices
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 6,124 Chinese adults with diabetes identifies significant gaps in foot care knowledge and practi…
A large study of over 6,000 people shows that while many have positive attitudes toward foot care, very few actually perform good daily prac…
Cement dust exposure linked to significant lung function decline in workers and residents
Cement factory dust causes significant lung function decline in workers
This meta-analysis of occupationally and environmentally exposed populations found significant reductions in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio a…
Workers and neighbors living near cement factories face significant lung damage and chronic coughs from breathing in dust and emissions.
Oral nutritional supplements significantly attenuate body weight loss after gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Oral nutritional supplements may slow weight loss after stomach surgery
This meta-analysis of 1736 patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer found that oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) significantl…
Patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer may lose less weight after leaving the hospital if they use oral nutritional supplements.
Patient navigation and mailed FIT outreach significantly increase colorectal cancer screening uptake
Patient navigation and mailed outreach improve colorectal cancer screening rates
This systematic review and network meta-analysis of 76 randomized clinical trials found that patient navigation (RR 1.58) and mailed FIT out…
Patient navigation and mailed outreach are the most effective ways to get more people to complete their colorectal cancer screenings.
Mothership strategy increases likelihood of achieving 90-day mRS 0 to 2 in AIS-LVO patients
Mothership strategy may improve outcomes for patients with large stroke
This meta-analysis of 42 studies included 25,005 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vascular occlusion treated with mechanical…
Directly transporting stroke patients to specialized centers may improve functional recovery for those with large blood vessel blockages.
Small-donor single-kidney transplants show lower 1-year graft survival and higher acute rejection rates
Small donor kidneys show promise for children needing transplants
This meta-analysis and retrospective cohort study evaluate clinical outcomes for children receiving single-kidney transplants from small ped…
Children receiving single-kidney transplants from small donors show high survival rates, even as surgeons gain experience with the procedure…
Synergistic Effects of Strength Training and Protein Supplementation on Sarcopenia Management
Strength training and protein supplements help older adults with muscle loss
Combining strength training with whey protein or HMB may improve muscle mass and physical performance in elderly patients with sarcopenia.
Combining strength training with specific supplements like whey protein can help older adults build muscle and improve physical performance.
Physician involvement varies across EEG, MRI, TCD, TMS, and FUS based on real-time interpretation needs
Doctors and technicians play different roles in brain imaging tests
This systematic review synthesizes local practices for EEG, MRI, TCD, TMS, and FUS across 26 countries. The review finds that while technici…
New data from 26 countries shows how doctors and technicians work together to perform and interpret brain scans and treatments.
Combined physical and cognitive interventions improve global cognitive function and gait speed in frail older adults
Combined physical and cognitive exercise helps frail older adults
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials involving 989 participants found that combined physical and cognitive interventions signi…
A combined program of physical and cognitive exercises can improve memory and mobility for frail older adults while reducing signs of frailt…
High prevalence of sarcopenia identified among community and hospital based populations in India
High Rates of Muscle Loss Found in Indian Populations
This meta-analysis examined the prevalence of probable, confirmed, and severe sarcopenia among individuals in India. The findings indicate a…
New data shows that over one-third of people in India may have some form of sarcopenia, a condition involving significant muscle loss.
C3-derived skeletal muscle index shows strong correlation with L3 index in head and neck cancer
C3 Muscle Index Shows Strong Link to L3 Muscle Levels
This meta-analysis of 2017 patients evaluates the correlation between C3 and L3 skeletal muscle indices in head and neck cancer. The study f…
A new way to measure muscle mass in head and neck cancer patients may offer a simpler, radiation-sparing method for tracking muscle loss.
Physical frailty tops risk factors for pneumonia after esophagectomy, meta-analysis finds
Physical frailty and muscle loss increase pneumonia risk after surgery
This meta-analysis of 60 cohort studies in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy identified physical frailty as the highest-ra…
Patients with esophageal cancer face a higher risk of pneumonia after surgery if they show signs of physical frailty or muscle loss.