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Meta-analysis (META) is intended to provide greater strength of evidence by combining like populations of similar clinical trials in similar circumstances. Unfortunately, no two populations or sets of circumstances are identical, resulting in conclusions being drawn from large data sets which may not be reliable.
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Compared with morbidly obese individuals who did not have surgery, those who underwent gastric bypass surgery had reduced total mortality after about 7 years, especially for deaths from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. However, the rate of death from accidents and suicides was higher in the surgery group than in the control group.
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Elevated non-fasting triglyceride levels are associated with incident cardiovascular events independent of traditional cardiac risk factors, levels of other lipids, and markers of insulin resistance; by contrast, fasting triglyceride levels demonstrated little independent relationship to these events.
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Frequent atrial premature beats predict paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in stroke patients: An opportunity for a new diagnostic strategy.
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The FDA has approved the first of a new class of anti-HIV drugs. Maraviroc is a selective CCR5 co-receptor antagonist.
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Patients receiving a probiotic yogurt drink were protected from antibiotic associated bacteria.
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Fully 95% of serum thyrotropin (TSH) measurements were normal in screening tests ordered by primary care physicians. Half of abnormal TSH labs became normal upon repeat measurement. If the initial TSH result was normal, there was only a 2% chance it would become abnormal within 5 years.
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Currently prevailing scientific opinion denies any relationship between diet and acne: teenagers throughout the land rejoice over their freedom to eat as much pizza, popcorn, chocolate, and soda (the four food groups from age 14-20) as they wish. But the last word may not yet be in.
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12-lead ECG obtained from an 81-year old woman with new onset heart failure, but no chest pain.
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Adding an anticoagulant to aspirin is of no value in patients with peripheral artery disease, older adults with coronary disease benefit from aggressive statin therapy, simvastatin may reduce the risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease by as much as 50%, MiraLax is safe for long-term use in patients with chronic constipation, the FDA green-lights Avandia, brings back Zelnorm for limited use, and recommends approving Evista for breast cancer prevention.
