Observational studies

Consuming probiotics during pregnancy may reduce incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, study finds

Probiotic milk consumption during pregnancy is linked with a reduction in the incidence of preeclampsia and premature birth…

Study reinforces importance of repeated annual flu vaccination in older adults

Repeated flu vaccination is highly effective in preventing severe and fatal infection caused by influenza in older adults.…

Glandular fever consistently associated with increased risk of MS, study finds

Past infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a history of glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) are associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) across multiple ethnic groups, research has found.…

Study finds disparity between antipsychotics in preventing schizophrenia relapses

There are big differences in antipsychotic agents in terms of failure of treatment and risk of rehospitalisation among patients with schizophrenia.…

Researchers suggest that beta blockers do not cut death risk after heart attack

A large British study has cast doubt on the benefits of using beta blockers in patients after they have had acute myocardial infarction, at least in those without heart failure.…

Diclofenac and ibuprofen linked to significantly increased risk of cardiac arrest

Having studied data from nearly 30,000 patients with a history of cardiac arrest, researchers conclude that over-the-counter NSAIDs should only be available in pharmacies and at low doses and quantities.…

Common heartburn drugs linked to chronic as well as acute kidney damage

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), widely used for acid suppression therapy, are associated with long-term kidney damage even in patients who have not experienced acute kidney injury (AKI), researchers find.…

Postmenopausal hormone therapy does not protect women against Alzheimer’s disease, study suggests

There is no evidence that postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, a large, 20-year follow-up study has found.…

Use of anti-clotting drugs before, during or after surgery is not for everyone, study results show

Giving anti-clotting drugs routinely to all patients as prophylaxis against developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after surgery may be unnecessary in as many as 75% of cases, according to research published in the Annals of Surgery.…

Drug dispensing errors among medical incidents seen in children in primary care

Improving dispensing procedures and redesigning NHS 111 triaging to be paediatric sensitive could help cut drug errors in primary care, say researchers…