Quality of call handling at Dutch out of hours centres

When presented with seven scenarios by standardised patients, telephone triagists asked the right questions in only one fifth of calls and rated urgency correctly in just over half of calls, according to this cross sectional national study. The accompanying editorial says that concerns about quality and safety highlight the need for further evaluation.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status

This meta-analysis systematically reviews all the prospective cohort studies that have analysed the relation between adherence to a Mediterranean diet, mortality, and incidence of chronic diseases in a primary prevention setting.

Misperceptions and misuse of Bear Brand coffee creamer as infant food

Use of a cartoon logo on coffee creamer is misleading to the local population in Laos and puts the health of infants at risk, according to a cross sectional survey of consumers and paediatricians. This is in spite of a written warning on the label: "This product is not to be used as a breast milk substitute."

Paracetamol plus ibuprofen for the treatment of fever in children

This randomised controlled trial (with economic evaluation) investigates whether paracetamol (acetaminophen) plus ibuprofen are superior to either drug alone for increasing time without fever and the relief of fever associated discomfort in febrile children managed at home. An accompanying editorial says no persuasive evidence exists for recommending a combination or an alternating regimen of paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Effect of illicit direct to consumer advertising on use of etanercept, mometasone, and tegaserod in Canada

Exposure to US direct to consumer advertising was associated with transiently increased prescribing of tegaserod in the US and across the border in Canada, where such advertising is illegal, according to this controlled longitudinal study. Are there public health consequences when regulators turn a blind eye to cross border advertising that contravenes national laws, asks an accompanying editorial.

Low dose aspirin and cognitive function in middle aged to elderly adults

This randomised controlled trial determines the effects of low dose aspirin on cognitive function in middle aged to elderly men and women at moderately increased cardiovascular risk. Using aspirin to prevent cognitive decline is not effective in asymptomatic middle aged to elderly adults, says an accompanying editorial.

Drug eluting and bare metal stents in people with and without diabetes

This collaborative network meta-analysis compares the effectiveness and safety of three types of stents (sirolimus eluting, paclitaxel eluting, and bare metal) in people with and without diabetes mellitus. Long term aspirin and clopidogrel are key to improving safety, says an accompanying editorial.

Effect on birth outcomes of a formalised approach to care in hospital labour assessment units

In 5000 women having first babies in North America and the UK, those randomised to special care during labour for their emotional state, positioning, and pain coping were more satisfied but otherwise had no different outcomes from controls, according to this international randomised controlled trial. Support improves women’s experiences, but not clinical outcomes, says an accompanying editorial.(Picture credit: SPL/John Griem).

Exposure to antipsychotics and risk of stroke

In UK primary care antipsychotic drug use was associated with an increased risk of stroke, and the risk was raised further by use of atypical drugs and by having dementia, according to this self controlled case series study. An accompaning editorial explains how this study design illustrates the relation between antipsychotics and stroke. (Picture credit: TEK Image/SPL)

Role of blood pressure in development of early retinopathy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

In this prospective cohort study, higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures contribute to early retinopathy, and this is independent of albumin secretion and glycaemic control. Even those with normal albumin excretion should be closely monitored, says an accompanying editorial.

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