Aspirin use and mortality in healthy women

Published in March 30th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Aspirin reduces the risk of death in women reported two newspapers (27 March 2007). Details of the research were accurately reported by the newspapers, but the findings need to be interpreted with caution as this type of study design can only indicate an association and not causation. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

Stenting may be less effective than full heart bypass

Published in March 27th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Thousands of patients may be denied their best chance of long-term survival by being given stents rather than undergoing heart bypass surgery reported two newspapers (23 March 2007). The newspapers accurately reported some of the findings of a well-conducted meta-analysis, including that there was no difference in death rates. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

The treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) / myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in adults and children

Published in March 26th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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This review aimed to determine whether any particular intervention or combination of interventions is effective in the treatment, management and rehabilitation of adults and children with a diagnosis of CFS/ME. [CRD Report 35]

Diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of faecal occult blood tests (FOBT) used in screening for colorectal cancer

Published in March 26th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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This review aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and cost effectiveness of different types of FOBT, for screening for adenomas and/or CRC in an average risk population, with a view to determining whether a specific FOBT could be singled out as the most accurate and cost-effective. [CRD Report 36]

Fish oil supplements boost brain development

Published in March 13th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Newspapers reports, based on a press release, stated that taking fish oil supplements boosted brain development (12 March 2007). Four overweight children showed improved arithmetical and construction skills, memory, concentration, and brain growth, after three months. The results can not be deemed reliable, or generalisable to other young people. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]

‘Vitamin supplements can increase risk of death’

Published in March 5th, 2007

Posted by Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) in Drug Evaluation and Research, Health Information

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Vitamin pills increase risk of death, reported five newspapers (28 February 2007). The newspapers accurately reported the findings of a generally well-conducted systematic review. [Latest Hitting the Headlines story - written by CRD for the NLH.]