The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Comment Observational Study
Inequities in hypertension management: observational cross-sectional study in North East London using electronic health records.
Hypertension is a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of death in the UK. Good blood pressure (BP) control reduces mortality. However, health inequities may lead to variability in hypertension monitoring and control. ⋯ Individuals of Black ethnicity and younger people are less likely to have controlled hypertension and may warrant targeted interventions. Possible explanations for these findings are presented but further research is needed about reasons for ethnic differences.
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Observational Study
Trends in consultations and prescribing for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: an electronic primary care records study.
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are common and generally managed in primary care through supported self-care, physiotherapy, analgesia, and specialist referral where indicated. The COVID-19 pandemic led to abrupt changes in primary care delivery, including moves to remote consulting, pauses on group-based self-care, and restricted referrals. ⋯ Pandemic-associated restrictions led to fewer primary care consultations and relative increases in analgesic prescribing, including strong opioids, for RMDs in the UK. Policymakers must consider the impact of these changes in future healthcare resource planning.
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Observational Study
Adherence to 5-aminosalicylic acid maintenance treatment in young people with ulcerative colitis: a retrospective cohort study in primary care.
Maintenance treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is recommended in ulcerative colitis (UC), but accurate estimates of discontinuation and adherence in adolescents transitioning to young adulthood are lacking. ⋯ The first year of starting long-term therapies in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with UC is a critical window for active follow-up of maintenance treatment, particularly in those aged 18-24 years and those living in deprived postcodes.