NPC Archive Item: Informing smokers about their lung age may help them to stop smoking

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Parkes G, Greenhalgh T, Griffin M, et al. Effect on smoking quit rate of telling patients their lung age : the Step2quit randomised controlled trial. BMJ Online first doi:10.1136/bmj.39503.582396.25 (published […]

NPC Archive Item: Do approval requirements restricting access to clopidogrel after stenting have adverse effects on patients?

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Sheehy O et al. Restrictive access to clopidogrel and mortality following coronary stent implantation. CMAJ 2008;178(4):413-20 What is the background to this? Clopidogrel can be used in combination with […]

NPC Archive Item: Ezetimibe▼ doesn’t ENHANCE statins

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. What is this about? The results (login required) of the ENHANCE Study have found no significant difference between the combination of ezetimibe▼ and simvastatin compared to simvastatin alone in […]

NPC Archive Item: Is QRISK a better way to assess cardiovascular risk?

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Hippisley-Cox J, et al. Performance of the QRISK cardiovascular risk prediction algorithm in an independent UK sample of patients from general practice: a validation study. Heart 2008; 94: 34-39. […]

NPC Archive Item: Stopping clopidogrel may be associated with an increased risk of death and MI

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Ho PM, Petersen ED, Wang L, et al. Incidence of death and acute myocardial infarction associated with stopping clopidogrel after acute coronary syndrome. JAMA 2008:299;532–9 What is the background […]

NPC Archive Item: Diuretics are an appropriate first-line choice in patients with hypertension and metabolic syndrome

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Wright JT, Harris-Haywood S, Pressel S, et al. Clinical outcomes by race in hypertensive patients with and without the metabolic syndrome. ALLHAT. Arch Intern Med 2008;168:207–217 What is the […]

NPC Archive Item: Calcium supplements may increase the risk of MI

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Bolland MJ, Barber PA, Doughty RN, et al. Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomised controlled trial. BMJ Online First doi:10.1136/bmj.39440.525752.BE (published 15 January 2008) What […]

NPC Archive Item: Varenicline▼ compared with nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Stapleton JA, et al. Varenicline in the routine treatment of tobacco dependence: a pre-post comparison with nicotine replacement therapy and an evaluation in those with mental illness. Addiction 2008;103:146-54. […]

NPC Archive Item: Coxibs or traditional NSAIDs for patients on low dose aspirin?

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. Strand V. Are COX-2 inhibitors preferable to non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with risk of cardiovascular events taking low-dose aspirin? Lancet 2007;370:2138–51 A recent review article in the […]

NPC Archive Item: Varenicline▼ safety update

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced an update to the product information for varenicline (Champix® ▼) highlighting concerns over suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Following a European […]