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Research
Reporting and interpretation of SF-36 outcomes in randomised trials
This systematic review determines how often health surveys and quality of life evaluations reach different conclusions from those of primary efficacy outcomes, and whether discordant results make a difference in the interpretation of trial findings. Patient reported outcome measures in trials are widely available, but need to be standardised and used appropriately, says an accompanying editorial.
Other recent research:
- Outcomes of conduct problems in adolescence
- Lung cancer deaths from indoor radon
- Impact of pulse oximetry screening on the detection of duct dependent congenital heart disease
- Use of Framingham risk score and new biomarkers to predict cardiovascular mortality in older people
- Comorbidity and repeat admission to hospital for adverse drug reactions in older adults
News
Working on the Congolese front line
For anaesthetic nurse Paul Kanulambi Walelu (pictured), dealing with gunshot wounds, open fractures, emergency caesarean sections, peritonitis, and typhoid perforations is all in a day's work. In October 2008 he helped British surgeon David Nott in a forequarter amputation on a 16 year old boy who was close to death. The BMJ interviewed him with the help of Médecins sans Frontières.
Other news published on 14 January:
- Older US women are less likely than men to get kidney transplants
- Primary care trusts lack the skills to implement Darzi reforms, say MPs
- London trusts lose out in proposed formula for funding primary care
- Milburn is to head initiative to widen entry to medical training
- Nepalese government is to start providing free maternity care
- UN reports big increase in number of civilian casualties in Gaza
Comment
NICE and the challenge of cancer drugs
The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has introduced new criteria for appraising end of life treatments. This Analysis article looks at how they might affect availability by applying them to previously refused drugs
Other recent comment:
Podcasts
Research and news
A longitudinal study concludes that adolescents who exhibit externalising behaviour are at high risk of experiencing multiple social and health impairments that adversely affect them, their families, and society throughout adult life. Ian Colman, one of the paper's authors, talks about the paper in this week's BMJ research podcast. There is also an interview with Alastair Gray, lead author of a paper that looks at lung cancer deaths from indoor radon and the cost effectiveness and potential of policies to reduce them. A separate news podcast includes a round-up of the week in medicine from Annabel Ferriman, plus the latest on the BMJ/MSF appeal.
Education
Drug point
Topiramate can induce hypoadrenalism in patients taking oral corticosteroid replacement, according to this practice article. (Picture credit of topiramate molecular model: Dr Tim Evans:SPL)
Also in education: Endgames:
Feature
Unravelling the secrets of ageing
Research is looking into the role of telomeres in disease and ageing. The hope for the future is that measurements of telomere length could be used to detect early disease, allowing preventive measures to be put in place, and eventually that methods will be found to slow or even reverse the shortening. (Two chromosomes highlighted where the telomeres are located: Hybrid Medical Animation: SPL).
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