NICE Eyes on Evidence - Issue 76 September 2015

This month in Eyes on Evidence

Mortality in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
A Danish population cohort study reported that children, young people and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had a mortality rate double that of the general population, with accidents the most common cause of death.

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine in early pregnancy
A Scandinavian cohort study found that taking specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine in early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of birth defects. However, the risk was not significant when infants exposed to these antidepressants were compared with brothers or sisters who had not been exposed.

Long-term outcomes after endovascular coiling for ruptured cerebral aneurysm
A cohort study of people in the UK with ruptured cerebral aneurysm reported that those who were treated with endovascular coiling were more likely to be alive and free of disability at 10 years than those who underwent neurosurgical clipping.

Silent cerebral infarctions in atrial fibrillation
A meta-analysis found that the risk of silent cerebral infarctions in people with atrial fibrillation was more than double that in people who did not have atrial fibrillation.

Neighbourhood fast-food outlets and type 2 diabetes
An analysis of UK cross-sectional data found that the number of fast food outlets in a neighbourhood was associated with a small increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Evidence summaries from NICE’s Medicines and Prescribing Programme
NICE has recently published Medicines evidence commentaries on:

• Type 2 diabetes: implementing NICE guidance on self-monitoring of plasma glucose
• Digoxin in atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure
• Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea: effects of PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists on clinical response and recurrence

Case study from the Quality and Productivity collection
We highlight a new example from the Quality and Productivity collection showing how new local practices have both cut costs and improved quality:

• Home administration of intravenous diuretics to people with heart failure