Bandolier back issues from July 2006:
Adverse events with TNF antagonists.(tumor necrosis factors)
Jul 01, 2006 ... There is no doubt that TNF-antagonists--antibodies that mop up various forms of TNF in the body--have contributed to substantial benefits for patients with rheumatological and other disorders where the immune system is abnormal. Much greater improvements are now possible, and the ...
Bisphosphonates and jaw osteonecrosis.
Jul 01, 2006 ... Rare adverse events are now often reported in the media as well as in medical journals. It makes for a good story, after all, because it is easier to scare than to reassure. It seems humans are hard wired to believe the worst. So it has been for bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis ...
MI rates falling.(myocardial infarction)
Jul 01, 2006 ... We expend considerable effort in trying to reduce heart attacks. Interventions include exhortation to better lifestyle (smoking cessation, exercise, weight control, and healthy diet) and drugs (including cholesterol reduction and blood pressure control). Feedback is important, particularly ...
Communicating evidence.
Jul 01, 2006 ... One of the real frustrations about evidence is the disconnect between what the evidence is, and what the perceptions may be, with the clearest example being MMR. Each day millions of important decisions are being taken by professionals and their patients, part of which involves ...
Occult blood tests for colorectal cancer?
Jul 01, 2006 ... People get hot under the collar when it comes to screening, and screening for cancer in particular. Two general criticisms are often made of screening trials. First that the design of many studies was compromised, resulting in possible bias, with better studies giving less encouraging ...
Fibromyalgia update.(drug)
Jul 01, 2006 ... Bandolier has only dipped a toe into these waters, agitated as they are by disagreement over whether the condition exists, diagnosis, and whether any treatments, of whatever sort, work. Readers press for a less insipid approach, so a quick traipse through some recent(ish) reviews and ...
BNP for AF--update.
Jul 01, 2006 ... Systematic review and meta-analysis of good studies of diagnostic tests are rare. One on BNP tests for congestive heart failure is important as diagnosis is not easy in primary care because symptoms are unspecific. Diagnosis usually requires expensive echocardiography or radionuclide scan ....