Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
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Comparative Study
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease using validated risk scores: a systematic review.
The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the increased cost of treatment have prompted strategies for the primary prevention of CVD in the UK to move towards the use of validated CVD risk scores to identify individuals at the highest risk. There are no reviews evaluating the effectiveness of this strategy as a means of reducing CVD risk or mortality. This review summarizes current evidence for and against the use of validated CVD risk scores for the primary prevention of CVD. ⋯ This review demonstrates the potential for multifactorial interventions aimed at individuals selected by CVD risk scores for lowering CVD risk and mortality. However, the majority of studies in this area do not provide an intensity of intervention which is sufficient in significantly reducing CVD mortality or validated CVD risk.
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Review Historical Article
Historical perspectives on umbilical cord clamping and neonatal transition.
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This article describes and critically appraises clinical trials assessing misoprostol effectiveness in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in home and community settings in low- and middle-income countries. Of 172 identified studies of misoprostol use in labour only six fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All trials used 600 μg misoprostol in the intervention arm; three assessed misoprostol alongside components of active management of the third-stage labour (AMTSL), two used expectant management of labour and one allowed birth attendants to choose management practice. ⋯ This suggests factors other than misoprostol use are crucial. Current evidence does not support misoprostol use in home and community settings in low- and middle-income countries for PPH prevention. WHO should rethink its recent decision to include misoprostol on the Essential Medicines List.