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Opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation by clinical pharmacists in UK general practice during the influenza vaccination season: A cross-sectional feasibility study
ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that AF screening performed by GP practice –based pharmacists was feasible, economically viable, and positively endorsed by participants. Furthermore, diagnosis of AF by the clinical pharmacist using anSLECG was more sensitive and more specific than the use of pulse palpation alone. Future research should explore the key barriers preventing the adoption of national screening programmes.
Source: PLoS Medicine - July 16, 2020 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Vilius Savickas Source Type: research

Influenza vaccination and risk of stroke: Self-controlled case-series study.
CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination is associated with a reduction in incidence of stroke. This study supports previous studies which have shown a beneficial association of influenza vaccination for stroke prevention. PMID: 26296496 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Vaccine - August 18, 2015 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Asghar Z, Coupland C, Siriwardena N Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Neither ibuprofen nor steam improves symptom control compared with paracetamol in patients with acute respiratory tract infections in primary care
Commentary on: Little P, Moore M, Kelly J, et al.. Ibuprofen, paracetamol, and steam for patients with respiratory tract infections in primary care: pragmatic randomised factorial trial. BMJ 2013;347:f6041. Context The achievement of symptom control in patients with respiratory infections is an ongoing challenge, particularly within primary care. Patients and clinicians often view antibiotics, alongside other supportive medication, as the most expeditious intervention to achieve this goal. While we have learnt that antibiotics provide only very limited benefit in cases when bacterial infection is not suspected,1 2 the effe...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - May 19, 2014 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Schuetz, P. Tags: General practice / family medicine, Influenza, Otitis, Pain (neurology), Stroke, Ischaemic heart disease, Pain (palliative care), Drugs: musculoskeletal and joint diseases, Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology Therapeutics Source Type: research

Flu jab "may cut" stroke risk by a quarter
ConclusionThis research finds that, overall, having the flu vaccine reduced the risk of a person experiencing a stroke by about 25%. The reduction in risk seemed to be greatest within the first three months of vaccination, but remained for up to 12 months.  However, the effect lasted only if the vaccine was given early in the flu season (September to mid-November); giving the vaccine late in the flu season (mid-November to February) was not associated with significantly reduced risk.The research benefits from using data coded within the General Practice Research Database for England and Wales for almost 50,000 people with...
Source: NHS News Feed - February 21, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Neurology Older people Source Type: news

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and risk of stroke or transient ischaemic attack-Matched case control study.
CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination was associated with a 24% reduction in risk of stroke but not TIA. Pneumococcal vaccination was not associated with reduced risk of stroke or TIA. This has important implications for potential benefits of influenza vaccine. PMID: 24486370 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Vaccine - January 28, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Siriwardena AN, Asghar Z, Coupland CA Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Screening for atrial fibrillation in patients aged 65 years or over attending annual flu vaccination clinics at a single general practice.
CONCLUSIONS: Screening was ineffective. ECG immediately after pulse assessment is essential. Screening was acceptable to patients but required additional resources. Age groups 65-74 and ≥ 85 years were not adequately screened using flu clinics. Novel methods screening older, non-attending patients are required. Practices should introduce annual pulse checks into chronic disease templates and prompts for those aged ≥ 65 years attending surgery. Additional screening should target practices with low AF prevalence or poor rates of opportunistic screening. PMID: 23735694 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Quality in Primary Care - May 1, 2013 Category: Primary Care Authors: Rhys GC, Azhar MF, Foster A Tags: Qual Prim Care Source Type: research