J Am Board Fam Med
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There is considerable interest in the association between food insecurity (FIS) and various cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia. Although the association between FIS and dyslipidemia has been studied across various methodologies and populations, there is no comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of these data. ⋯ Although current data do not suggest an association between FIS and dyslipidemia, more longitudinal studies and studies targeting women, children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes are needed to further address this issue.
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This study measured the prevalence and impact of nonadherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that recommend using nonpharmacological and nonopioid treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before considering opioids in patients with chronic low back pain. ⋯ Up to one-fifth of patients with chronic low back pain may be prescribed opioids in a manner that is not adherent to CPGs, thereby placing them at risk for poor outcomes.
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Open-source online information channels have become increasingly important to the dissemination of medical information, including information about pharmaceuticals. We sought to determine the extent to which one prominent source of online information, Wikipedia, presented quantitative efficacy data about drugs. ⋯ Wikipedia is an important source of information that has the potential to shape public views about drug efficacy, but the absence of quantitative efficacy information in most pages limits public understanding of the benefits that drugs actually offer.
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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic initiated the implementation of numerous disease mitigation strategies aimed to prevent transmission of the SARS-CoV-2. Given the similarity in mode of transmission, we posit that these strategies have also had a collateral benefit in minimizing the transmission of influenza during the 2020 to 2021 season in California. ⋯ Further study is recommended to determine which specific variables had greater impact on transmission of respiratory viruses, and therefore can be utilized to prevent future outbreaks of respiratory illness.