CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
-
Review Meta Analysis
Effects of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Anemia is an important public health and clinical problem. Observational studies have linked iron deficiency and anemia in children with many poor outcomes, including impaired cognitive development; however, iron supplementation, a widely used preventive and therapeutic strategy, is associated with adverse effects. Primary-school-aged children are at a critical stage in intellectual development, and optimization of their cognitive performance could have long-lasting individual and population benefits. In this study, we summarize the evidence for the benefits and safety of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children. ⋯ Our analysis suggests that iron supplementation safely improves hematologic and nonhematologic outcomes among primary-school-aged children in low- or middle-income settings and is well-tolerated.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Influence of retirement on nonadherence to medication for hypertension and diabetes.
The extent to which common life transitions influence medication adherence among patients remains unknown. We examined whether retirement is associated with a change in adherence to medication in patients with hypertension or type 2 diabetes. ⋯ We found a decline in adherence to medication after retirement among men and women with hypertension and men with type 2 diabetes. If these findings can be confirmed, we need randomized controlled trials to determine whether interventions to reduce poor adherence after retirement could improve clinical outcomes of treatments for hypertension and diabetes.
-
Comparative Study
Prevalence of and factors associated with head impact during falls in older adults in long-term care.
Falls cause more than 60% of head injuries in older adults. Lack of objective evidence on the circumstances of these events is a barrier to prevention. We analyzed video footage to determine the frequency of and risk factors for head impact during falls in older adults in 2 long-term care facilities. ⋯ Head impact was common in observed falls in older adults living in long-term care facilities, particularly in forward falls. Backward rotation during descent appeared to be protective, but hand impact was not. Attention to upper-limb strength and teaching rotational falling techniques (as in martial arts training) may reduce fall-related head injuries in older adults.