5 research outputs found

    Diversity in family medicine: The art of thinking independently together – Reflections on the RCGP exchange 2016

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    This narrative summarizes the reflections of a UK conference exchange experience of four young general practitioners (GPs) from Peru, Portugal, Italy, and Pakistan. This article was written after participating in a RCGP exchange program in October 2016. This consisted of 2 days of observation in a GP practice in Liverpool followed by attendance at the RCGP preconference and annual conference. The exchange was organized by the RCGP Junior International Committee, which links to the Vasco da Gama Movement, a European network of new and future GPs

    Effect of low-dose aspirin on health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

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    Aims: This study aimed to use an umbrella review methodology to capture the range of outcomes that were associated with low‐dose aspirin and to systematically assess the credibility of this evidence. Methods: Aspirin is associated with several health outcomes, but the overall benefit/risk balance related to aspirin use is unclear. We searched three major databases up to 15 August 2019 for meta‐analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including low‐dose aspirin compared to placebo or other treatments. Based on random‐effects summary effect sizes, 95% prediction intervals, heterogeneity, small‐study effects and excess significance, significant meta‐analyses of observational studies were classified from convincing (class I) to weak (class IV). For meta‐analyses of RCTs, outcomes with random effects P ‐value < .005 and a moderate/high GRADE assessment, were classified as strong evidence. From 6802 hits, 67 meta‐analyses (156 outcomes) were eligible. Results: Observational data showed highly suggestive evidence for aspirin use and increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (RR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.97–2.64). In RCTs of low‐dose aspirin, we observed strong evidence for lower risk of CVD in people without CVD (RR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79–0.87) and in general population (RR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79–0.89), higher risk of major gastrointestinal (RR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.26–1.72) and intracranial bleeding (RR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.18–1.53), and of major bleedings in people without CVD (RR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.26–2.08). Conclusion: Compared to other active medications, low‐dose aspirin had strong evidence for lower risk of bleeding, but also lower comparative efficacy. Low‐dose aspirin significantly lowers CVD risk and increases risk of bleeding. Evidence for multiple other health outcomes is limited

    Metformin and health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses

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    Background: The objective was to capture the breadth of outcomes that have been associated with metformin use and to systematically assess the quality, strength and credibility of these associations using the umbrella review methodology. Methods: Four major databases were searched until 31 May 2020. Meta‐analyses of observational studies and meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (including active and placebo control arms) were included. Results: From 175 eligible publications, we identified 427 different meta‐analyses, including 167 meta‐analyses of observational studies, 147 meta‐analyses of RCTs for metformin vs placebo/no treatment and 113 meta‐analyses of RCTs for metformin vs active medications. There was no association classified as convincing or highly suggestive from meta‐analyses of observational studies, but some suggestive/weak associations of metformin use with a lower mortality risk of CVD and cancer. In meta‐analyses of RCTs, metformin was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes in people with prediabetes or no diabetes at baseline; lower ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome incidence (in women in controlled ovarian stimulation); higher success for clinical pregnancy rate in poly‐cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); and significant reduction in body mass index in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus, in women who have obesity/overweight with PCOS and in obese/overweight women. Of 175 publications, 166 scored as low or critically low quality per AMSTAR 2 criteria. Conclusions: Observational evidence on metformin seems largely unreliable. Randomized evidence shows benefits for preventing diabetes and in some gynaecological and obstetrical settings. However, almost all meta‐analyses are of low or critically low quality according to AMSTAR 2 criteria

    Magnesium and health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational and intervention studies

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    Purpose: To map and grade all health outcomes associated with Magnesium (Mg) intake using an umbrella review. Methods: Umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using placebo/no intervention as control group. We assessed meta-analyses of observational studies based on random-effects summary effect sizes and their P-values, 95% prediction intervals, heterogeneity, small-study effects and excess significance. For meta-analyses of RCTs, outcomes with a random effects P-value <0.005 and a high GRADE assessment, were classified as strong evidence. Results: From 2,048 abstracts, 16 meta-analyses and 55 independent outcomes were included (36 in RCTs and 19 in observational studies). In RCTs of Mg versus placebo/no active treatment, 12 over 36 outcomes reported significant results (p<0.05). A strong evidence for decreased need for hospitalization in pregnancy and for decreased risk of frequency and intensity of migraine relapses in people with migraine was observed using the GRADE assessment. In observational studies, 9/19 outcomes were significant (p<0.05). However, only one outcome presented highly suggestive evidence (lower incidence of type 2 diabetes in people with higher Mg intake at baseline) and one suggestive (lower incidence of stroke associated with higher Mg intake at baseline). Conclusion: Strong evidence according to the GRADE suggests that Mg supplementation can decrease the risk of hospitalization in pregnant women and reduce the intensity/frequency of migraine. Higher Mg intake is associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and stroke with highly suggestive and suggestive evidence, respectively, in observational studies
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