Interventional studies

Limited evidence for use of gabapentinoids to treat chronic low back pain

Analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing the use of gabapentinoids for chronic low back pain confirms that evidence on their use is limited and the drug should be used with caution. …

Eleven minutes of mindfulness training reduces heavy drinking

Heavy drinkers who listened to a pre-recorded 11-minute training session on mindfulness techniques drank an average of 9.3 fewer units of alcohol in the week following the session, according to researchers at University College London (UCL).…

Screening for HIV in primary care is cost effective and should be promoted, say researchers

General practice-based HIV screening is an important public health intervention which should be used more widely, according to a study led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine…

FDA approves drug to reduce risk of HER2-positive breast cancer returning

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved neratinib (Nerlynx; Puma Biotechnology) as the first extended adjuvant therapy for early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer.…

An aspirin before bed reduces risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women

Low-dose aspirin taken each night before bed significantly reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, according to research carried out at King’s College London and the University of Exeter.…

Cannabis drug cuts seizures in childhood epilepsy

Cannabidiol shows promise in reducing the frequency of convulsive seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy.…

Chondroitin sulfate alleviates symptoms in knee osteoarthritis

Study shows positive effects of medicine in managing pain and improving mobility in patients with osteoarthritis.…

Bevacizumab as effective as aflibercept for central retinal vein occlusion

Bevacizumab is frequently used off-label for treating macular oedema resulting from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), despite a lack of supporting data.…

Research funders pledge transparency on trial results

Some of the world’s largest research funders have pledged to make all their trial results publicly available, meaning that doctors and other prescribers will be able to make better informed choices.…

Common oral contraceptive pill has negative effect on general well-being

An estimated 100 million women use the contraceptive pill, but surprisingly little is known about its effect on overall health.…