Latest evidence updates from NICE

Eyes on Evidence is a free monthly e-bulletin from NHS Evidence which covers significant new evidence as it emerges, with an explanation about what it means for current practice.

The articles also contain links to relevant articles, NHS Evidence and NICE guidance.

In the February issue you can find:

• Weight management in pregnancy
  A systematic review and meta-analysis shows weight management interventions in pregnancy are effective in reducing maternal weight gain without any adverse risk to the unborn child, but weight reduction is modest. 


• Physiotherapy treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
  A systematic review shows that physiotherapy has benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease across a range of functions. How and when physiotherapy should be delivered in this patient group is still unclear and there is insufficient evidence to suggest that any one method of physiotherapy is more effective than another.


• Prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia with oral antiseptics
  A systematic review shows a beneficial effect of oral antiseptic use in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Questions remain on the frequency and technique of administration. 


• Benzodiazepines and the risk of dementia
  An observational study suggests that use of an array of hypnotics and anxiolytics (mainly benzodiazepines and ‘Z drugs’) are associated with an increased risk of dementia.


• Citalopram for the treatment of depression
  A systematic review confirms previous evidence and guidance that citalopram is a suitable first-choice drug option for the acute treatment of moderate to severe depression in terms of efficacy and tolerability.

From the QIPP Case Studies collection:

• Integrated whole system services for people with dementia


• Improving quality and the patient experience – a children and young people cancer survivorship initiative 

Latest Celebrity Dieting Fad: Charcoal?

Strange dietary practices are nothing new in the world of celebrities, but this one is right up there when it comes to the bizarre and frankly… dumb.

Or is it?

I mean, adding charcoal to every meal seems like a logical enough way to help you eat less. In fact, I would say it’s probably a FAIL PROOF way to eat less.

This is the dietary tactic of choice for “Girls Aloud” (Never heard of them) singer Sarah Harding (never heard of her).

Says Harding:

I found out about it on a fashion website.

. (Makes perfect sense)

It has a strange texture, but it doesn’t taste of anything and apparently absorbs all the bad, damaging stuff in the body.

(Sound like she’s really done her homework on this one)

It’s not the regular charcoal you put in fires, though – I’m not that mad.

(Thank goodness – that would be disgusting)

I get it from a health food shop and I think it’s good for hangovers, too.

(If by “good for hangovers” you mean “it’s the crap they force feed you in the hospital, so you don’t die of alcohol poisoning” than yes, Sarah, it’s “good for hangovers”. Source
Will the charcoal diet catch fire?

Sarcasm aside, charcoal is used in complementary medicine circles for gastrointestinal related issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal gas. It makes sense that people would try to sell this as a weight loss remedy that also “detoxes” your body.

For weight loss purposes, I’m not sure that adding something to your food to make it taste funny is the right way to go.

But, for those desperate to lose weight, they wouldn’t think twice about adding a scoop of charcoal to their fruit loops, if they are told it will help.