MHIKNET-L January 2011

mhiknet-l@lists.umanitoba.ca

3 participants
6 discussions

New Report: A Citizen's Guide to Health Indicators

by Orvie Dingwall

The Health Council of Canada has just released A Citizen's Guide to Health Indicators: http://healthcouncilcanada.ca/en/index.php?page=shop.product_details <http://healthcouncilcanada.ca/en/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypag e=shop.flypage&product_id=135&category_id=16&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_vi rtuemart&Itemid=170> &flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=135&category_id=16&manufacturer_id=0&option =com_virtuemart&Itemid=170 Written for health consumers, it is a report for individuals with an interest in health care and how to use health information. It provides an introduction to health indicators, what they are, where they come from, and how they can influence health care decisions and policies. Health indicators have become a major part of the health information that many Canadians see daily. The guide defines indicators as high-quality statistics or measures that help individuals understand and compare Canadians' health and health care. Orvie Dingwall, BA, MLIS Outreach Services Librarian Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library University of Manitoba email: <mailto:orvie_dingwall@umanitoba.ca> orvie_dingwall(a)umanitoba.ca phone: 204.977.5660 website: <http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/> http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/

13 years, 2 months

New Toll-Free Number for the Crane Library

by Orvie Dingwall

The J.W. Crane Library at the Deer Lodge Centre now has a toll-free number: 1-855-220-1522 The J.W. Crane Memorial Library of Gerontology and Geriatrics is Canada's largest and best-known special library on aging and long-term care. The librarians and staff at the Crane Library provide service to healthcare professionals working in personal care homes within the RHA's, as well as to any MHIKNET library card holder. Visit their website for more information: http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/health/deerlodge/index.html Orvie Dingwall, BA, MLIS Outreach Services Librarian Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library University of Manitoba email: <mailto:orvie_dingwall@umanitoba.ca> orvie_dingwall(a)umanitoba.ca phone: 204.977.5660 website: <http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/> http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/

13 years, 2 months

The Manitoba Association of Health Information Providers - Spring Symposium, May 5, 2011

by carol_friesen＠umanitoba.ca

The Manitoba Association of Health Information Providers Presents Virtual Realities - Information Pathways in a Digital World May 5, 2011 Carol Shields Auditorium, Millennium Library Dr. Jennifer Keelan, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto?s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, will give a talk on her research on the use of Second Life in relation to knowledge exchange and health literacy. This will be followed by a lively discussion and debate on the use and value of various Web 2.0 applications in Winnipeg?s libraries and, particularly, their relevance in improving access to information in health settings. There will also be continuing education opportunities in the morning. We look forward to sharing this informative day with members of Manitoba?s library community. More details to follow. MAHIP is a chapter of the Canadian Health Libraries Association. See http://mahip.wordpress.com/ [1]for more information, or contact: Lori Giles-Smith, MLIS Hospital Librarian Bill Larson Library, Grace Hospital Phone: 837-0127 Email: lori_giles-smith(a)umanitoba.ca umanitoba.ca/libraries/health/grace -- Carol Friesen MA, MLIS Manitoba Health Outreach Librarian Manitoba Health Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library University of Manitoba Phone at MH: 788-6477 Phone at NJM Health Sciences Library: 480-1391 Email: carol_friesen(a)umanitoba.ca http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca Links: ------ [1] http://mahip.wordpress.com/

13 years, 2 months

What Your Patient Reads: Antibiotics for IBS?

by MHIKNET Library Services

"What Your Patient Reads" are one-page summaries of health-related media reports that are supplemented with references to evidence-based medical literature. Please let me know if you would like to receive any of the full-text articles cited in the attached issue, on the topic of Antibiotics for IBS. Summary: On Jan 9, 2011 the CBC news posted an article describing new research study results for relief of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Two studies showing 41 per cent of patients taking the antibiotic rifaximin reported substantially improved symptoms for up to 10 weeks compared with placebo. The two studies involved 1260 patients with mild to moderate IBS without constipation. Patients were given either a placebo or 550 mg of rifaximin three times a day for two weeks. Lead researcher Dr. Mark Pimentel of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, noting the improved symptoms lasted past the two weeks, remarked "we've actually touched on the cause of IBS, as opposed to just covering up symptoms." Results from other studies investigating overgrowth of bacteria in the gut as the cause of IBS have been mixed. Dr. Jan Tack from the University of Leuven in Belgium states that the response to rifaximin in these studies is novel and important as well as within the range seen with other effective IBS treatments. Salix Pharmaceuticals, the makers of rifaximin, are seeking to expand the drug's use to IBS. Rifaximin is approved for traveller's diarrhea and complications of liver disease. The studies were paid for by Salix, some researchers were Salix employees, and others received consulting fees from the company. Cedars-Sinai holds a patent on the use of rifaximin for IBS. Thanks, Elizabeth --- Elizabeth Stregger Library Assistant, MHIKNET Library Services Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library 770 Bannatyne Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Tel. 204-789-3804 Tel. 1-877-789-3804 Fax: 204-789-2923 mhiknet(a)umanitoba.ca http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca

13 years, 2 months

Research in the News: Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

by Orvie Dingwall

Today's news media is highlighting the following Cochrane systematic review, which may be of interest to you: Taylor F, Ward K, Moore THM, Burke M, Davey Smith G, Casas JP, Ebrahim S. Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004816. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004816.pub4. Plain language summary Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is ranked as the number one cause of mortality and is a major cause of morbidity world wide. Reducing high blood cholesterol which is a risk factor for CVD events is an important goal of medical treatment. Statins are the first-choice agents. Since the early statin trials were reported, several reviews of the effects of statins have been published highlighting their benefits particularly in people with a past history of CVD. However for people without a past history of CVD (primary prevention), the evidence is less clear. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects, both in terms of benefits and harms of statins for the primary prevention of CVD. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE until 2007. We found 14 randomised control trials with 16 trial arms (34,272 patients) dating from 1994 to 2006. All were randomised control trials comparing statins with usual care or placebo. Duration of treatment was minimum one year and with follow up of a minimum of six months. All cause mortality. coronary heart disease and stroke events were reduced with the use of statins as was the need for revascularisations. Statin treatment reduced blood cholesterol. Taking statins did not increase the risk of adverse effects such as cancer. and few trials reported on costs or quality of life. This current systematic review highlights the shortcomings in the published trials and we recommend that caution should be taken in prescribing statins for primary prevention among people at low cardiovascular risk. -----------_________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________ Abstract Background Reducing high blood cholesterol, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in people with and without a past history of coronary heart disease (CHD) is an important goal of pharmacotherapy. Statins are the first-choice agents. Previous reviews of the effects of statins have highlighted their benefits in people with coronary artery disease. The case for primary prevention, however, is less clear. Objectives To assess the effects, both harms and benefits, of statins in people with no history of CVD. Search strategy To avoid duplication of effort, we checked reference lists of previous systematic reviews. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE (2001 to March 2007) and EMBASE (2003 to March 2007). There were no language restrictions. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials of statins with minimum duration of one year and follow-up of six months, in adults with no restrictions on their total low density lipoprotein (LDL) or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and where 10% or less had a history of CVD, were included. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion and extracted data. Outcomes included all cause mortality, fatal and non-fatal CHD, CVD and stroke events, combined endpoints (fatal and non-fatal CHD, CVD and stroke events), change in blood total cholesterol concentration, revascularisation, adverse events, quality of life and costs. Relative risk (RR) was calculated for dichotomous data, and for continuous data pooled weighted mean differences (with 95% confidence intervals) were calculated. Main results Fourteen randomised control trials (16 trial arms; 34,272 participants) were included. Eleven trials recruited patients with specific conditions (raised lipids, diabetes, hypertension, microalbuminuria). All-cause mortality was reduced by statins (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.95) as was combined fatal and non-fatal CVD endpoints (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.79). Benefits were also seen in the reduction of revascularisation rates (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.83). Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reduced in all trials but there was evidence of heterogeneity of effects. There was no clear evidence of any significant harm caused by statin prescription or of effects on patient quality of life. Authors' conclusions Although reductions in all-cause mortality, composite endpoints and revascularisations were found with no excess of adverse events, there was evidence of selective reporting of outcomes, failure to report adverse events and inclusion of people with cardiovascular disease. Only limited evidence showed that primary prevention with statins may be cost effective and improve patient quality of life. Caution should be taken in prescribing statins for primary prevention among people at low cardiovascular risk. Orvie Dingwall, BA, MLIS Outreach Services Librarian Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library University of Manitoba email: <mailto:orvie_dingwall@umanitoba.ca> orvie_dingwall(a)umanitoba.ca phone: 204.977.5660 website: <http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/> http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/

13 years, 3 months

Metis Health Research: Workshop and Seminar on January 28

by MHIKNET Library Services

The Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library and the Department of Community Health Sciences are pleased to announce two events on Métis health research on Friday January 28, 2011 at the Bannatyne Campus. Everyone is welcome to attend. The first event is a hands-on computer workshop in the NJM Library to learn how to search the Métis Centre Literature & Statistics Databases (National Aboriginal Health Organization). Please see the attached poster for more information. To register, send an email to Janice Linton, Aboriginal Health Librarian: janice_linton(a)umanitoba.ca. The second event is a presentation by Devin Dietrich, Research Officer, Métis Centre (NAHO), The Need for Métis Research: Métis Specific Research Principles. Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm Location: Dr. Betty Havens Seminar Room, R060, Medical Rehabilitation Building, 771 McDermot Avenue. Abstract: Métis research is under-represented in academia. One of the barriers to new Métis research is that key assumptions in funder-sponsored Aboriginal-specific ethical guidelines such as those put out by the Tri-Council Agency in their policy statement (TCPS) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's (CIHR) guidelines for doing research in Aboriginal communities are not appropriate assumptions for doing research with Métis communities. Current definitions of community do not reflect Métis realities or research capacities and put unrealistic expectations on researchers and Métis communities that may want to engage in a research relationship. With this in mind, the Métis Centre of the National Aboriginal Health organization (NAHO), with the help of Métis researchers, students, community members, and research ethics organizations, collaborated to draft a set of guiding principles for undertaking ethical research in Métis communities from a Métis perspective. A detailed explanation of the Principles of Ethical Métis Research will be the main purpose of this presentation. --- Elizabeth Stregger Library Assistant, MHIKNET Library Services Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library 770 Bannatyne Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Tel. 204-789-3804 Tel. 1-877-789-3804 Fax: 204-789-2923 mhiknet(a)umanitoba.ca http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca

13 years, 3 months

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MHIKNET-L January 2011