Meta-analysis

Deprescribing cuts deaths in some studies but not others

Analysis of non-randomised studies found that deprescribing polypharmacy reduces mortality, while randomised studies showed no effect on mortality.…

Obesity drugs show weight loss effect after one year

Five drugs approved in the United States for the treatment of obese or overweight adults have been associated with at least a 5% drop in weight after a year, a meta-analysis has shown. …

Pharmacy interventions improve asthma outcomes

Researchers analysed 21 studies and found evidence that pharmacy interventions improve symptoms and severity of asthma.…

Early aspirin use after transient ischaemic attack cuts severe stroke risk by 90%

Large analysis of data shows taking aspirin within two weeks of transient ischaemic attack or stroke cuts risk of secondary stroke by over 90%.…

Paracetamol ineffective in treating osteoarthritis, meta-analysis finds

Paracetamol is not clinically effective for alleviating pain and improving physical function in patients with osteoarthritis, the largest analysis of randomised trials of analgesics for osteoarthritis published to date has found. …

No evidence for hydrolysed infant formula in allergy prevention

Researchers find no protective effect of hydrolysed formula against allergic and autoimmune disease, conflicting with international guidelines.…

Text messaging interventions boost medication adherence

Analysis of 2,742 patients showed the use of text message reminders improved medication adherence by 17.8%.…

Evidence mounts on benefits of lowering threshold for use of antihypertensives

All patients at high risk of heart disease including those with normal blood pressure should be considered eligible for blood pressure-lowering drugs, new research suggests.…

Researchers question value of nalmefene for treating alcohol dependency

The value of nalmefene for reducing alcohol consumption in patients who are alcohol-dependent has been questioned by the authors of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in PLoS Medicine on 22 December 2015.…

Talking therapies are just as effective as drugs in depression

Second-generation antidepressants and cognitive behavioural therapy are equally as effective in patients with depression, researchers have found.…