The BMJ: Leading Medical Research, News, Education, Opinion
Use of progestogens and the risk of intracranial meningioma: national case-control study. 2. Association of holidays and the day of the week with suicide risk: multicounty, two stage, time series study. 3. Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. 4.
Interpreting iron studies | The BMJ
Jun 15, 2017 · Interpreting Iron Studies - June 29, 2017. Alison U Kelly, specialty registrar in chemical pathology1, Stephen T McSorley, clinical research fellow2, Prinesh Patel, general practitioner3, Dinesh Talwar, consultant clinical scientist1. Author affiliations. Department of Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Interpreting an isolated raised serum alkaline phosphatase level in …
Apr 3, 2013 · This article discusses the most common causes of raised alkaline phosphatase levels in an asymptomatic patient and provides advice on the relevant investigations. #### Learning points If alkaline phosphatase is raised in an asymptomatic patient and serum bilirubin, liver transaminases, creatinine, adjusted calcium, thyroid function, and blood count are normal: …
Low back pain and sciatica: summary of NICE guidance - The BMJ
Jan 6, 2017 · Low back pain is the leading cause of long term disability worldwide. 1 The lifetime incidence of low back pain is 58-84%, 2 and 11% of men and 16% of women have chronic low back pain. 3 Back pain accounts for 7% of GP consultations and results in the loss of 4.1 million working days a year. 2 More than 30% of people still have clinically significant symptoms after …
Gout: diagnosis and management—summary of NICE guidance
Aug 30, 2022 · Measure the serum urate level in people with symptoms and signs of gout to confirm the clinical diagnosis (serum urate level ≥360 μmol/L (6 mg/dL)). If serum urate level is <360 μmol/L during a flare and gout is strongly suspected, repeat the serum urate level measurement at least two weeks after the flare has settled.
Pernicious anaemia - The BMJ
Apr 24, 2020 · Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder affecting the gastric mucosa with impaired absorption of dietary cobalamin (vitamin B12) resulting in B12 deficiency. Figure 1 depicts the pathophysiology of pernicious anaemia. Vitamin B12 is essential for production of blood cells and myelination of nerves. Its deficiency causes megaloblastic anaemia.
Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of endometriosis
Nov 14, 2022 · Endometriosis affects approximately 190 million women and people assigned female at birth worldwide. It is a chronic, inflammatory, gynecologic disease marked by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, which in many patients is associated with debilitating painful symptoms. Patients with endometriosis are also at greater risk of infertility, …
Essential tremor: diagnosis and management - The BMJ
Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders in adults and can affect both children and adults. An updated consensus statement in 2018 redefined essential tremor as an isolated action tremor present in bilateral upper extremities for at least three years. Tremor may also be present in other locations, commonly the neck or the vocal cords. Patients with …
Quality improvement into practice | The BMJ
Mar 31, 2020 · Definitions of quality improvement. Improvement in patient outcomes, system performance, and professional development that results from a combined, multidisciplinary approach in how change is delivered. 3. The delivery of healthcare with improved outcomes and lower cost through continuous redesigning of work processes and systems. 4.
Latest guidance on the management of gout | The BMJ
Jul 18, 2018 · Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis and its incidence in the UK has steadily increased from 1.5% in 1997 to 2.5% in 2012. 1 2 It is characterised by deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints and tissues and usually presents with intermittent painful attacks followed by long periods of remission. 3 Here, we review the latest ...