Table of contents

Therapeutics

• Cross-over randomised controlled trial: Long-acting β-agonist step-up therapy is more likely to provide best response, compared to inhaled corticosteroid or leukotriene-receptor antagonist step-up in children with uncontrolled asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroids

  Mike Thomas
• Systematic review: Meta analysis suggests that folic acid supplementation does not reduce risk of stroke, but there may be some benefit when given in combination with vitamins B6 and B12 and in primary prevention

  Gustavo Saposnik
• Randomised controlled trial: Low-dose and high-dose colchicine have comparable efficacy in the treatment of acute gout, but high dose carries significantly greater risk of adverse effects

  Brian F Mandell
• Cochrane systematic review: Moderate quality evidence that compared to advice to rest in bed, advice to remain active provides small improvements in pain and functional status in people with acute low back pain

  Bart Koes
• Systematic review: Sufficient evidence that 12 g of lactose is tolerated by most adults with lactose malabsorption and intolerance but insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutical strategies tested so far

  Massimo Montalto, Antonella Gallo
• Systematic review: Fibrates reduce the risk of major cardiovascular and coronary events compared with placebo, but do not affect risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality

  Sandeep A Saha
• Randomised controlled trial: Administration of annual oral high-dose vitamin D to community-dwelling older women in autumn and winter months increases risk of falls and fractures

  Jacques P Brown
• Cochrane systematic review: Topical NSAIDs provide effective relief of acute musculoskeletal pain compared to placebo, with no increase in risk of adverse effects

  Rachelle Buchbinder
• Cochrane systematic review: No current evidence that routine administration of oxygen to people with acute myocardial infarction improves pain or mortality; further conclusive trials are needed

  Nathan Mewton, Kihei Yoneyama
• Randomised controlled trial: Intensive dietary advice significantly improves HbA(1c) in patients with type II diabetes who remain hyperglycaemic despite optimised drug treatment

  Deborah J Wexler, Richard W Grant
• Systematic review: Calcium supplements increase risk of myocardial infarction

  Sonal Singh, Curt D Furberg