Meta-analysis

Review collates evidence on increased risk of death for anticholinergics

A new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that patients using any drug with anticholinergic effects have a 45% increased risk of cognitive impairment.…

Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD have neutral effect on mortality despite increased pneumonia risk

Use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia but a neutral or even reduced risk of pneumonia-associated and overall mortality.…

Systematic review suggests mortality benefits of new cholesterol lowering biologics

Monoclonal antibodies designed to lower cholesterol by inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) are effective and associated with few major side effects.…

Meta-analysis casts doubt over first-line paracetamol use for back pain and osteoarthritis

A meta-analysis published in The BMJ has cast doubt on the use of paracetamol as the first-line analgesic for spinal pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.…

Review of data casts doubt on use of paracetamol for back pain and osteoarthritis

A meta-analysis published in The BMJ casts doubt on the use of paracetamol in spinal pain and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.…

Jury still out on risk of heart failure from glucose lowering drugs

Clinicians have questioned trial data which indicate that glucose lowering drugs might increase the risk of heart failure.…

Phenylephrine eye drops do not pose a risk to patient’s cardiovascular health, study finds

Eye drops containing phenylephrine do not cause clinically significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate, a meta-analysis finds.…

Neuropsychiatric review offers reassurance for smokers who quit using varenicline

A meta-analysis of the smoking cessation drug varenicline has shown it is associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders and insomnia, but no evidence of an increased risk of suicide.…

Prescribing statins: time to rein it in

Statins have been overprescribed for decades for many different reasons. Now is the time to reverse the trend.…

HRT linked with increased stroke risk, conclude Cochrane reviewers

HRT has little if any benefit in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and causes an increase in the risk of stroke and venous thromboembolic events.…