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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

'More adults should be taking statins,' says NICE
Conclusion Despite somewhat hysterical media coverage to the contrary ("millions more to be given statins," according to the Daily Express), nobody will be forced to take statins. If your GP does recommend statins, you should ask them to explain the benefits and risks for you personally of starting statin treatment. You may want to find out more about statins before making up your mind – the NHS Choices Health A-Z information on statins is a good place to start. If you do experience troublesome side effects while taking statins, contact your GP or the doctor in charge of your care. It could be the case that a...
Source: NHS News Feed - July 18, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Medication QA articles Source Type: news

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