Medical Xpress: PHYSorg news tagged with: randomised controlled trials

Clinical support for patient self-management is rhetoric rather than reality

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:50:02 EST

The processes to allow people to self-manage their own illness are not being used appropriately by health professionals to the benefit of their patients, new research suggests.

TB infection rates set to 'turn clock back to 1930s'

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:30:01 EST

During the 1930s, dedicated sanitaria and invasive surgery were commonly prescribed for those with the infection - usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which the editors describe as "the most successful human pathogen of all time."

Cutting down on sugar has a small but significant effect on body weight

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:30:03 EST

Reducing sugar intake has a small but significant effect on body weight in adults, finds a paper published on BMJ website today.

Top ten tips to combat diabetes this New Year

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 09:45:31 EST

(Medical Xpress)—Getting your family and friends to support you in being physically active and setting yourself physical activity goals are among the top ten tips scientifically proven to help combat Type 2 diabetes.

Research proves low fat diet is key to a slimmer figure

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:30:01 EST

Findings published today in the British Medical Journal show that exchanging fatty foods for lower fat alternatives will help people shift around three-and-a-half pounds - without dieting. People taking part in trials also saw their waist-lines become slimmer, and levels of bad cholesterol decrease.

Study finds common drug increases deaths in atrial fibrillation patients

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:33:41 EST

Digoxin, a drug widely used to treat heart disease, increases the possibility of death when used by patients with a common heart rhythm problem − atrial fibrillation (AF), according to new study findings by University of Kentucky researchers. The results have been published in the prestigious European Heart Journal, and raises serious concerns about the expansive use of this long-standing heart medication in patients with AF.

Physical activity interventions for children have 'little impact'

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:21:33 EST

Physical activity interventions for children have small impact on overall activity levels and consequently the body fat and mass of children, a study published in the British Medical Journal today suggests.

Physiotherapy beneficial for people with Parkinson's disease in the short term

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 06:31:39 EST

(Medical Xpress)—Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis led by the University of Birmingham in the UK suggest that physiotherapy benefits people with Parkinson's disease in the short term (< 3 months).

Statins are unlikely to prevent blood clots, analysis finds

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:00:07 EST

Despite previous studies suggesting the contrary, statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) may not prevent blood clots (venous thrombo-embolism) in adults, according to a large analysis by international researchers published in this week's PLOS Medicine.

Ginkgo biloba extract does not prevent Alzheimer's dementia

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:30:04 EST

Ginkgo biloba extract does not significantly reduce the likelihood of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in older people, according to the results of the largest ever Alzheimer's prevention study in Europe, published in Lancet Neurology.

Weight management in pregnancy with diet is beneficial and safe, can reduce complications

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:30:04 EST

For pregnant women, including those who are overweight and obese, following a healthy calorie controlled diet during pregnancy is safe and can reduce the risk of serious complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes and premature birth, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today.

Antibiotics a safe and viable alternative to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis, say experts

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:30:02 EST

Giving antibiotics to patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis is a safe and viable alternative to surgery, say experts in a study published in the British Medical Journal today.

Cervical disease sufferers could benefit from HPV vaccine

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:21:22 EST

Women who are diagnosed with pre-cancerous cervical conditions after receiving the HPV vaccine can still benefit from a considerably reduced risk of reoccurring disease, a study published today in the British Medical Journal shows.

Cognitive stimulation beneficial in dementia

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:13:38 EST

Cognitive stimulation therapies have beneficial effects on memory and thinking in people with dementia, according to a systematic review by Cochrane researchers. Despite concerns that cognitive improvements may not be matched by improvements in quality of life, the review also found positive effects for well-being.

Gut hormone leads to weight loss in overweight or obese patients

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:54:21 EST

Giving overweight or obese patients a gut hormone that suppresses appetite leads to clinically beneficial weight loss as well as reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, finds a study published in the British Medical Journal today.

Bowel screening reduces cancer deaths by more than 25 per cent

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:27:19 EST

(Medical Xpress) -- Bowel screening reduces the number of deaths from bowel cancer in Scotland by more than 25 per cent, according to research* presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool this week.

Making sure the right mental health interventions are provided in humanitarian settings

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:30:06 EST

The third paper in The Lancet Series on Global Mental Health examines mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in humanitarian settings, and points out that most research and evidence is focused on interventions that are infrequently applied, while the most commonly used interventions have had little rigorous scrutiny. The paper is by Dr Wietse Tol, Global Health Initiative, MacMillan Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA, and colleagues.

New analysis of the cardiovascular risks of common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:21:06 EST

An updated study published in this week's PLoS Medicine gives some new information on the cardiovascular risks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and suggests that among these commonly used drugs, naproxen and low dose ibuprofen are least likely to increase cardiovascular risk whereas diclofenac, even in doses available without prescription, elevates risk.

Clinical outcomes in PCI patients given sirolimus-eluting and everolimus-eluting stents

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:43:37 EST

The second generation drug-eluting stent, everolimus-eluting stent (EES), has consistently demonstrated superior clinical outcomes in randomised controlled trials over the first generation drug-eluting stent, paclitaxel-eluting stent. However, other earlier studies comparing EES with another first generation drug-eluting stent, sirolimus-eluting stent (SES), have only demonstrated the non-inferiority of EES; the superiority of EES relative to SES in terms of target-lesion revascularisation has not yet been investigated in adequately powered randomised controlled trials.