Ian M Harvey

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) for the treatment of spinal fusions and the healing of fractures compared with the current standards of care.

DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases, related journals and references from identified studies were searched in January 2006, with an updated search only for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in November 2006.

REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review of available data was ...

BACKGROUND: Delay in fracture healing is a complex clinical and economic issue for patients and health services.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incremental effectiveness and costs of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) on fracture healing in acute fractures and nonunions compared with standards of care.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Library (2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE, and other major health and health economics databases (to October 2008).

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled ...

BACKGROUND: Viral warts caused by the human papilloma virus represent one of the most common diseases of the skin. Any area of skin can be affected although the hands and feet are by far the commonest sites. A very wide range of local treatments are available.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of different local treatments for cutaneous, non-genital warts in healthy people.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (January 2003), the Skin Group trials register ...

OBJECTIVES: Prior research has highlighted the importance of psychosocial factors in 'difficult' asthma. This study aimed to review the content, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of psycho-educational interventions designed to address these factors in patients with severe and difficult asthma.

DATA SOURCES: Thirty-two electronic databases and other sources were searched for studies of educational, self-management, psychosocial and multifaceted interventions.

REVIEW METHODS: Abstracts ...

BACKGROUND: Home oxygen therapy (HOT) is commonly used for patients with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) who have intractable breathlessness. There is no trial evidence to support its use.

OBJECTIVES: To detect whether or not there was a quality-of-life benefit from HOT given as long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for at least 15 hours per day in the home, including overnight hours, compared with best medical therapy (BMT) in patients with severely symptomatic CHF.

DESIGN: A pragmatic, ...

BACKGROUND: Despite effective assessment methods and medications targeting osteoporosis and related fractures, screening for fracture risk is not currently advocated in the UK. We tested whether a community-based screening intervention could reduce fractures in older women.

METHODS: We did a two-arm randomised controlled trial in women aged 70-85 years to compare a screening programme using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) with usual management. Women were recruited from 100 ...

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported physical and mental functional health measured by an anglicised short-form 36-item questionnaire (UK SF-36).

DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING: General community in Norfolk, UK.

SUBJECTS: A total of 16,792 men and women aged 40-79 years recruited from general practice population registers as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a community based Helicobacter pylori screening and eradication programme on the incidence of dyspepsia, resource use, and quality of life, including a cost consequences analysis.

DESIGN: H pylori screening programme followed by randomised placebo controlled trial of eradication.

SETTING: Seven general practices in southwest England.

PARTICIPANTS: 10,537 unselected people aged 20-59 years were screened for H pylori infection (13C urea breath test); ...

The Screening for Osteoporosis in Older Women for the Prevention of Fracture (SCOOP) study was a community-based screening intervention in women aged 70 to 85 years in the United Kingdom. In the screening arm, licensed osteoporosis treatments were recommended in women identified to be at high risk of hip fracture using the FRAX risk assessment tool (including bone mineral density measurement). In the control arm, standard care was provided. Screening led to a 28% reduction in hip ...

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and impact of urinary incontinence has been investigated much less in older men than in older women. It is suggested that those who perceive that their daily lives are affected should have priority for services. However, many people do not seek medical help, even though they may be severely affected.

AIM: To investigate unmet need in relation to the prevalence and impact on everyday life of urinary incontinence in men and women over the age of 65 years.

DESIGN ...

SCOOP is a UK seven-centre, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial with 5-year follow-up, including 11,580 women aged 70 to 85 years, to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a community-based screening programme to reduce fractures. It utilises the FRAX algorithm and DXA to assess the 10-year probability of fracture.IntroductionOsteoporotic, or low-trauma, fractures present a considerable burden to the National Health Service and have major adverse effects on quality of ...

BACKGROUND: The SPEEDY study was set up to quantify levels of physical activity (PA) and dietary habits and the association with potential correlates in 9-10 year old British school children. We present here the analyses of the PA, dietary and anthropometry data.

METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 2064 children (926 boys, 1138 girls) in Norfolk, England, we collected anthropometry data at school using standardised procedures. Body mass index (BMI) was used to define obesity status. ...

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common cause of hearing loss in children and is generally treated by elective surgery. We compared in children with persistent OME the effect on speech and language development of immediate surgery (ventilation-tube insertion) and watchful waiting before surgery.

METHODS: We did a randomised controlled trial with masked outcome assessment in Bristol Children's Hospital, Bristol, UK. We included 186 children born between April 1, ...