Top studies relevant to primary care from 2018: From PEER.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To summarize high-quality studies for 10 topics from 2018 that have strong relevance to primary care practice.

QUALITY OF EVIDENCE:

Study selection involved routine literature surveillance by a group of primary care health professionals. This included screening abstracts of important journals and Evidence Alerts, as well as searching ACP Journal Club.

MAIN MESSAGE:

Topics of the 2018 articles include whether low-dose acetylsalicylic acid improves health outcomes like cardiovascular disease (CVD); whether a low-carbohydrate diet is better than a low-fat diet for weight loss (and whether genetics matter); whether vaginal estradiol is superior to placebo for vulvovaginal symptoms of menopause; whether opioid management is better than nonopioid management for chronic back or osteoarthritis pain; whether additional water intake will decrease recurrent urinary tract infections; whether omega-3 fatty acids prevent CVD or reduce dry eyes; whether the new drug icosapent improves CVD; whether bath additives help eczema; whether acetaminophen can prevent recurrent febrile seizures; and recommendations for glycemic targets in diabetes based on reviews of evidence and other guidelines. Five "runner-up" studies are also briefly reviewed.

CONCLUSION:

Research from 2018 produced several high-quality studies in CVD but also spanned the breadth of primary care including pediatrics, women's health, and pain management, among other areas.

• Authors: Danielle Perry, Samantha Moe, Christina Korownyk, Adrienne J Lindblad, Michael R Kolber, Betsy Thomas, Joey Ton, Scott Garrison, G Michael Allan
• Journal: Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien (Can Fam Physician) Vol. 65 Issue 4 Pg. 260-263 (04 2019) ISSN: 1715-5258 [Electronic] Canada
• PMID: 30979756 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Topics

• Cardiovascular Diseases (therapy)
• Humans
• Pain Management (methods)
• Pediatrics (methods)
• Primary Health Care (methods)
• Women's Health