This month in Eyes on Evidence
Intra-arterial treatment for acute ischaemic stroke
A Dutch randomised controlled trial found that people with acute ischaemic stroke who received mechanical thrombectomy, intra-arterial thrombolysis, or both, plus usual care were more likely to be independent and free from disability at 3 months than people who received usual care alone.
Drugs with anticholinergic effects and risk of cognitive impairment, falls and all-cause mortality
A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that drugs with anticholinergic effects were associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and all-cause mortality in older people, and some drugs were linked to an increased risk of falls.
Suicide prevention programmes in schools
A randomised controlled trial in 10 European countries found that an interactive programme for all pupils that raised awareness of factors associated with suicide and taught mental health coping skills (Youth Aware of Mental Health Programme) reduced the incidence of suicide.
Pregnancy outcomes in women who have had bariatric surgery
A Swedish population-based cohort study found that pregnant women who had previously undergone bariatric surgery for obesity had a lower risk of gestational diabetes, smaller infants, shorter gestation, and were at slightly higher risk of stillbirth or neonatal death than pregnant women with obesity who had not undergone surgery.
Physical and mental health of carers
A cross-sectional study in England reported that around 20% of carers experienced common mental disorders, and this poor mental health was directly related to caring rather than other stressors. A cohort study in Australia reported that more than a third of carers experienced deterioration of their physical or mental health after starting caring.
Evidence summaries from NICE’s Medicines and Prescribing Programme
NICE has recently published medicines evidence summaries on:
- Prucalopride for chronic constipation
- Chronic pain: unintentional overdose in people receiving opioid analgesics for non-cancer pain
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the effect of roflumilast on exacerbations in people with severe disease – the REACT study.
Changes to the BNF
Changes have been introduced to the British National Formulary (BNF) to improve access to the latest information about medicines.
