Jamie Falk
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Top studies of 2024 relevant to primary care Open
Several clinical trials and meta-analyses published in 2024 were relevant to primary care, particularly in the areas of insomnia, cardiology, and musculoskeletal disorders.
View article: Effectiveness of educational interventions in United States schools to prevent opioid-related harms: A systematic review
Effectiveness of educational interventions in United States schools to prevent opioid-related harms: A systematic review Open
This review is the first to evaluate school-based opioid education programs for adolescents. Findings indicate that these programs effectively increase opioid knowledge and reduce problematic opioid use, though further randomized trials am…
View article: Higher blood pressure targets for hypertension in older adults
Higher blood pressure targets for hypertension in older adults Open
When comparing a higher BP target, in the range of < 150 to 160/95 to 105 mmHg, to a lower BP target of 140/90 or lower, over two to four years of follow-up, there is high-certainty evidence that the lower BP target reduces stroke, and mod…
View article: Trends of antiseizure medication utilization among pregnant people in four Canadian provinces from 1998 to 2023; a study from the Canadian mother-child cohort active surveillance initiative (CAMCCO)
Trends of antiseizure medication utilization among pregnant people in four Canadian provinces from 1998 to 2023; a study from the Canadian mother-child cohort active surveillance initiative (CAMCCO) Open
Background Epilepsy management during pregnancy is crucial for both the mother and fetus. The use of antiseizure medications (ASMs) during pregnancy requires careful consideration due to their potential effects on maternal and fetal health…
View article: The impact of COVID-19 public health measures on the utilization of antipsychotics in schizophrenia in Manitoba – A population-based study
The impact of COVID-19 public health measures on the utilization of antipsychotics in schizophrenia in Manitoba – A population-based study Open
This study found a decline in the receipt of antipsychotics for people with SCZ during the initial implementation of COVID-19 public health measures, particularly on the overall incidence. Future work on investigating the impact of these t…
View article: Trend in Prescription Medication Utilization for Opioid Use Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder From 2015 to 2021: A Population-wide Study in a Canadian Province
Trend in Prescription Medication Utilization for Opioid Use Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder From 2015 to 2021: A Population-wide Study in a Canadian Province Open
Objective To examine the quarterly incidence and prevalence of medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) from 2015 to 2021. Methods A retrospective population-wide observational study in Manitoba, Canada, was…
Medications for apathy in dementia Open
In patients with dementia, how safe and effective are stimulants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics for treating apathy? Methylphenidate may improve apathy scores by a small but potentially clinically meaningful amount compared with plac…
View article: How Patient-Centred Are Inhaler Device Choices? A Survey of Canadian Prescribers
How Patient-Centred Are Inhaler Device Choices? A Survey of Canadian Prescribers Open
Background: The choice of inhaler device type can play a crucial role in managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). With various devices available, differences in choice and application may lead to confusion for both…
Orexin antagonists for insomnia Open
Are orexin antagonists safe and effective for treatment of primary insomnia? Orexin antagonists help people fall asleep about 9 minutes faster and increase total sleep time by about 19 minutes versus placebo over the course of 1 to 3 month…
ASA use in patients at risk of preeclampsia Open
Is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) effective in preventing complications in pregnant patients at risk of preeclampsia? At about 12 to 28 weeks’ gestation, low-dose (50 to 150 mg) ASA reduces absolute risk of preeclampsia by about 2%, perinatal …
Patient values and preferences regarding communicating risk versus benefit of benzodiazepine initiation: A cross‐sectional survey study Open
Background and Aims Communicating information about the risks and benefits of benzodiazepines so that it is meaningful to the patient has not been previously described. This study aims to determine patient preferences regarding information…
View article: Clinical practice guideline for management of osteoporosis and fracture prevention in Canada: 2023 update
Clinical practice guideline for management of osteoporosis and fracture prevention in Canada: 2023 update Open
The aim of this guideline is to empower health care professionals and patients to have meaningful discussions on the importance of skeletal health and fracture risk throughout older adulthood. Identification and appropriate management of s…
View article: Lipid-lowering therapies for cardiovascular disease prevention and management in primary care
Lipid-lowering therapies for cardiovascular disease prevention and management in primary care Open
Statins have the most consistent evidence for the prevention of cardiovascular complications with a relative risk reduction of about 25% for MACE and 10% to 15% for mortality. The addition of ezetimibe, a PCSK9 inhibitor, or eicosapentaeno…
View article: PB0052 Heparin Type & Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized, Non-Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: Secondary Analysis of an International Multi-Platform RCT
PB0052 Heparin Type & Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized, Non-Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: Secondary Analysis of an International Multi-Platform RCT Open
Aims: This analysis aimed to investigate haemostatic, endothelium/ angiogenesis and inflammatory/cytokines biomarkers as predictors of mortality and VTE by ROC analysis.Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled unvaccinated COVID-19 patien…
View article: PEER simplified lipid guideline 2023 update
PEER simplified lipid guideline 2023 update Open
These updated evidence-based guidelines provide a simplified approach to lipid management for the prevention and management of CVD. These guidelines were created by and for primary health care professionals and their patients.
View article: OC 05.2 Impact of Heparin on Disease State Transition in Hospitalized, Non-Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19; Secondary Analysis of an International Multi-Platform RCT
OC 05.2 Impact of Heparin on Disease State Transition in Hospitalized, Non-Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19; Secondary Analysis of an International Multi-Platform RCT Open
Conclusion(s): COVID-19 platelets show a strikingly defective NO-production, independent from disease severity, while platelets from non-COVID-19-ICU generate NO normally, showing a selective SARS-CoV-2 infectionrelated defect of platelet …
View article: Continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes
Continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes Open
Compared with self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG), does continuous glucose monitoring improve clinical outcomes or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels for adults with diabetes taking insulin? Continuous glucose monitors use subcutaneous sensors…
Top studies of 2022 relevant to primary care Open
Research published in 2022 yielded several high-quality articles on various conditions relevant to primary care, including hypertension, heart failure, asthma, and diabetes.
Risk of muscle symptoms while taking statins Open
What are the effects of statins on muscles? Statins increase the risk of muscle symptoms (pain, cramps, weakness) in the first year of use, from 14.0% (placebo) to 14.8%, but are similar to placebo after 1 year. Only 1 patient-reported mus…
View article: Antiseizure medication use during pregnancy and neonatal growth outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Antiseizure medication use during pregnancy and neonatal growth outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis Open
Aims We aimed to systematically synthesize the current published literature on neonatal growth outcomes associated with antiseizure medication (ASM) use during pregnancy. Methods We searched seven databases, from inception to 23 March 2022…
View article: Preterm birth and stillbirth rates associated with socioeconomic disparities during COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cross-sectional study
Preterm birth and stillbirth rates associated with socioeconomic disparities during COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cross-sectional study Open
Background Conflicting evidence exists on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on preterm birth (PTB) and stillbirth rates. We aimed to evaluate changes in PTB and stillbirth rates before and during the pandemic period and asse…
Antibiotic prophylaxis for urinary tract infection Open
What is the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nonpregnant women? Antibiotic prophylaxis lowers the risk of recurrent UTIs (12% vs 66% placebo) over 6 to 12 months. Yet, more women have adve…
View article: Drug utilization patterns before and during COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba, Canada: A population-based study
Drug utilization patterns before and during COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba, Canada: A population-based study Open
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led the Canadian provincial governments to take unprecedented measures, including restrictions to healthcare services and pharmacists. Limited evidence exists on changes in prescription trends in Canada…
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors Open
How do sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) affect patient outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD)? For every 100 patients with CKD taking an SGLT2I for 5 years, approximately 3 or 4 fewer will develop end-stage kidney dise…
COVID-19 pandemic impact on preterm birth and stillbirth rates associated with socioeconomic disparities: A quasi-experimental study Open
Background Conflicting evidence exists on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on preterm birth (PTB) and stillbirth rates. We aimed to evaluate changes in PTB and stillbirth rates before and during the pandemic period and asse…
Trends of COVID-19 incidence in Manitoba and public health measures: March 2020 to February 2022 Open
Objectives The increasing spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has prompted Canada to take unprecedented measures. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the implemented public health measures on the …