Lifestyle interventions reduce need for antihypertensive medication in overweight peopleSubscription
Researchers found that assigning overweight patients to the DASH diet and a behavioural weight management programme cut the number of patients eligible for antihypertensive medication
Study results do not support widespread use of statins in old and very old populationsSubscription
Statins do not prevent the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people without diabetes aged 75 years and over, according to a study published in the BMJ.
Benzodiazepines linked to risk of Alzheimer’s diseaseSubscription
Although data showed benzodiazepine and Z drug use was linked to only a 6% increase in the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease, researchers say their prescribing should be avoided if possible.
Researchers find that e-cigarette fluid becomes more toxic during vapingSubscription
Vaping fluid becomes more toxic to cells after it has gone through the vaping process, study results show.
Antibiotics 'do not cut hospitalisation risk' in children with respiratory infectionsSubscription
Analysis of children presenting in primary care has found that delaying or withholding antibiotics is the most appropriate way of treating suspected respiratory tract infections.
People with dementia less likely to receive oral anticoagulants despite stroke riskSubscription
People with atrial fibrillation who have dementia are less likely to receive oral anticoagulants (OACs) than those without cognitive impairment, research has shown.
No benefit to daily aspirin in healthy older peopleSubscription
Daily low-dose aspirin does not increase the duration of disability-free life in healthy older people, trial results published in the New England Journal of Medicine have shown.
Triple combination antihypertensive pill effective for blood pressure controlSubscription
A fixed-dose triple combination antihypertensive pill was more effective at controlling blood pressure than usual care, the results of a randomised trial in Sri Lanka show
Obesity may increase influenza A virus transmission riskSubscription
Obese adults shed influenza A virus for almost 50% longer than non-obese adults, research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases shows.
Transdermal buprenorphine poorly tolerated in people with dementiaSubscription
A study of transdermal analgesics in people living with dementia has shown that more than half discontinue buprenorphine owing to adverse events.
More exercise not always better for mental health, study findsSubscription
Researchers from the United States have found that exercise is associated with a reduced mental health burden, but this benefit does not always continue to increase with duration and frequency.
Asthma care in England needs to be more proactive, researchers saySubscription
An audit of data from Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group in England has found inconsistencies in asthma care that could leave high-risk patients unidentified and at risk of death.
Healthy diet linked to improved asthma symptomsSubscription
Research across a large cohort using three different quality measures has shown that a healthy diet is associated with a reduced likelihood of experiencing asthma symptoms.
Continuing metformin when introducing sulfonylureas is safer than switching in T2DM, research showsSubscription
Switching to sulfonylureas increases the risk of serious adverse events compared with remaining on metformin in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, according to research published in The BMJ.
GP-based audit intervention helps cut high-risk prescribingSubscription
Results from a pharmacist-delivered audit pilot show that it reduced levels of high-risk prescribing in general practice, study results have shown.
Omega-3 supplements do not protect against cardiovascular disease, meta-analysis showsSubscription
A meta-analysis of 79 trials showed that increasing long-chain omega-3 had little or no effect on death from all causes, cardiovascular deaths, cardiovascular events, coronary heart disease deaths, stroke or arrhythmia.
Insulin degludec significantly improves blood sugar control compared with insulin glargine, data show Subscription
Using electronic health record data, researchers found that HbA1c levels declined by 1.5% among insulin degludec-treated patients compared with 1.2% in those treated with insulin glargine U300 over six months.
Glucose-lowering therapy does not slow progression in young people with type 2 diabetesSubscription
Treatment with glucose-lowering therapy does not maintain or improve pancreatic beta-cell function in young people recently diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus, a study has shown.
