BACKGROUND The common cold is one of the most widespread illnesses and is a leading cause of visits to the doctor and absenteeism from school and work. Trials conducted since 1984 investigating the role of zinc for the common cold symptoms have had mixed results. Inadequate treatment masking and reduced bioavailability of zinc from some formulations have been cited as influencing results. OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of zinc on common cold symptoms. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched CENTRAL (2010, Issue 2) which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to May week 3, 2010) and EMBASE (1974 to June 2010). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials using zinc for at least five consecutive days to treat, or for at least five months to prevent the common cold. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. MAIN RESULTS We included 13 therapeutic trials (966 participants) and two preventive trials (394 participants). Intake of zinc is associated with a significant reduction in the duration (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.56 to -0.38) (P = 0.001), and severity of common cold symptoms (SMD -0.39; 95% CI -0.77 to -0.02) (P = 0.04). There was a significant difference between the zinc and control group for the proportion of participants symptomatic after seven days of treatment (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.2 to 1.00) (P = 0.05). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of developing a cold (IRR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.88) (P = 0.006), school absence (P = 0.0003) and prescription of antibiotics (P < 0.00001) was lower in the zinc group. Overall adverse events (OR 1.59; 95% CI 0.97 to 2.58) (P = 0.06), bad taste (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.91 to 3.64) (P < 0.00001) and nausea (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.44 to 3.23) (P = 0.002) were higher in the zinc group. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people. When supplemented for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children. There is potential for zinc lozenges to produce side effects. In view of this and the differences in study populations, dosages, formulations and duration of treatment, it is difficult to make firm recommendations about the dose, formulation and duration that should be used.
{"title":"Zinc for the common cold","authors":"Meenu Singh, R. Das","doi":"10.1002/psb.722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.722","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND\u0000The common cold is one of the most widespread illnesses and is a leading cause of visits to the doctor and absenteeism from school and work. Trials conducted since 1984 investigating the role of zinc for the common cold symptoms have had mixed results. Inadequate treatment masking and reduced bioavailability of zinc from some formulations have been cited as influencing results.\u0000\u0000\u0000OBJECTIVES\u0000To assess the effect of zinc on common cold symptoms.\u0000\u0000\u0000SEARCH STRATEGY\u0000We searched CENTRAL (2010, Issue 2) which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to May week 3, 2010) and EMBASE (1974 to June 2010).\u0000\u0000\u0000SELECTION CRITERIA\u0000Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials using zinc for at least five consecutive days to treat, or for at least five months to prevent the common cold.\u0000\u0000\u0000DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS\u0000Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.\u0000\u0000\u0000MAIN RESULTS\u0000We included 13 therapeutic trials (966 participants) and two preventive trials (394 participants). Intake of zinc is associated with a significant reduction in the duration (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.56 to -0.38) (P = 0.001), and severity of common cold symptoms (SMD -0.39; 95% CI -0.77 to -0.02) (P = 0.04). There was a significant difference between the zinc and control group for the proportion of participants symptomatic after seven days of treatment (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.2 to 1.00) (P = 0.05). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of developing a cold (IRR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47 to 0.88) (P = 0.006), school absence (P = 0.0003) and prescription of antibiotics (P < 0.00001) was lower in the zinc group. Overall adverse events (OR 1.59; 95% CI 0.97 to 2.58) (P = 0.06), bad taste (OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.91 to 3.64) (P < 0.00001) and nausea (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.44 to 3.23) (P = 0.002) were higher in the zinc group.\u0000\u0000\u0000AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS\u0000Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people. When supplemented for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children. There is potential for zinc lozenges to produce side effects. In view of this and the differences in study populations, dosages, formulations and duration of treatment, it is difficult to make firm recommendations about the dose, formulation and duration that should be used.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"22 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141646528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evidence‐based practice supporting primary care prescribing","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/psb.2135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2135","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"52 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141714899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew D. Jones, Uzo Ibechukwu, Anthony Sinclair, Jenny Scott
The number of pharmacy professionals engaged in research‐oriented academic or clinical positions remains low. This article discusses recent efforts that have been initiated and implemented in the South West of England aimed at motivating pharmacy professionals to participate in research, with a special focus on considering clinical academic career paths.
{"title":"Increasing pharmacy research activity and engagement: SW Pharmacy Research Network","authors":"Matthew D. Jones, Uzo Ibechukwu, Anthony Sinclair, Jenny Scott","doi":"10.1002/psb.2139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2139","url":null,"abstract":"The number of pharmacy professionals engaged in research‐oriented academic or clinical positions remains low. This article discusses recent efforts that have been initiated and implemented in the South West of England aimed at motivating pharmacy professionals to participate in research, with a special focus on considering clinical academic career paths.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"105 S6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141695481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
With the WHO estimating that global medication errors cost approximately US$42 billion annually, it is perhaps not surprising that we hear a lot about medicines stewardship these days. Although the descriptions and goals of medicines stewardship vary, common themes are that it involves careful and responsible management, it is targeted at drug classes that are associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes and it aims to reduce variations in practice and improve patient outcomes.
{"title":"Beware stewardship in silos","authors":"A. Thompson","doi":"10.1002/psb.2142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2142","url":null,"abstract":"With the WHO estimating that global medication errors cost approximately US$42 billion annually, it is perhaps not surprising that we hear a lot about medicines stewardship these days. Although the descriptions and goals of medicines stewardship vary, common themes are that it involves careful and responsible management, it is targeted at drug classes that are associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes and it aims to reduce variations in practice and improve patient outcomes.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"18 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141709248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashley Hammond, B. Muller-Pebody, Kate B Ellis, Colin S Brown, Anthony Denham, Susan Hopkins, Alastair D Hay
Unchecked antimicrobial resistance is lethal and carries a high economic burden on the global economy. Primary care is central to the success of health service antibiotic stewardship programmes, as most of these infections are managed in the community. This article examines a pioneering programme that aims to reduce resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat lower urinary tract infections.
{"title":"Improving antibiotic prescribing to reduce antimicrobial resistance in UTIs: the IPAP‐UTI programme","authors":"Ashley Hammond, B. Muller-Pebody, Kate B Ellis, Colin S Brown, Anthony Denham, Susan Hopkins, Alastair D Hay","doi":"10.1002/psb.2138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2138","url":null,"abstract":"Unchecked antimicrobial resistance is lethal and carries a high economic burden on the global economy. Primary care is central to the success of health service antibiotic stewardship programmes, as most of these infections are managed in the community. This article examines a pioneering programme that aims to reduce resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat lower urinary tract infections.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"33 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141694382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Deprescribing is complex, and it should consider the individual context and embrace patient centredness and collaborative teamwork, including patients, relatives and/or caregivers. This article discusses the growing evidence supporting deprescribing in older patients and the barriers and challenges involved.
{"title":"Deprescribing in people living with frailty, multimorbidity and polypharmacy","authors":"Lelly Oboh","doi":"10.1002/psb.2137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2137","url":null,"abstract":"Deprescribing is complex, and it should consider the individual context and embrace patient centredness and collaborative teamwork, including patients, relatives and/or caregivers. This article discusses the growing evidence supporting deprescribing in older patients and the barriers and challenges involved.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"37 30","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141716488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacists are increasingly working in UK general practices, presenting an opportunity for practice teams to benefit from their additional professional skills and comprehensive knowledge of medicines. This article examines how pharmacists are helping to reduce inappropriate and inequitable prescribing in general practice and suggests ways in which their contribution can be optimised.
{"title":"Evidence‐based prescribing in general practice: the practice‐based pharmacist's role","authors":"Mary Carter","doi":"10.1002/psb.2140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2140","url":null,"abstract":"Pharmacists are increasingly working in UK general practices, presenting an opportunity for practice teams to benefit from their additional professional skills and comprehensive knowledge of medicines. This article examines how pharmacists are helping to reduce inappropriate and inequitable prescribing in general practice and suggests ways in which their contribution can be optimised.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"42 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141697022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Innovations and insights into treating compulsive disorders were explored in a comprehensive list of presentations at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ International Congress 2023, held in Liverpool last July. Joy Ogden reports on some of the highlights.
{"title":"Royal College of Psychiatrists’ International Congress 2023","authors":"Joy Ogden","doi":"10.1002/psb.2129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2129","url":null,"abstract":"Innovations and insights into treating compulsive disorders were explored in a comprehensive list of presentations at the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ International Congress 2023, held in Liverpool last July. Joy Ogden reports on some of the highlights.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141033415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
While SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well tolerated, their use has been associated with cases of ketoacidosis. It is therefore important to make patients aware of what steps they can take to minimise the risk of this potentially serious adverse effect.
{"title":"Increasing patient awareness of ketoacidosis with gliflozins","authors":"Angus Thompson","doi":"10.1002/psb.2132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/psb.2132","url":null,"abstract":"While SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well tolerated, their use has been associated with cases of ketoacidosis. It is therefore important to make patients aware of what steps they can take to minimise the risk of this potentially serious adverse effect.","PeriodicalId":20432,"journal":{"name":"Prescriber","volume":"52 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141042861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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