epilepsy

Women are unaware of pregnancy risks linked with sodium valproate

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Doctors are being asked to make sure that women and girls with epilepsy know about the risks of taking sodium valproate during pregnancy, after a survey found that half of those questioned were unaware that it could harm the fetus.

The charities Epilepsy Action, Epilepsy Society, and Young Epilepsy conducted a survey earlier this year, in conjunction with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), of 2788 women aged 16 to 50 with epilepsy.

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BMJ Learning latest modules

Scenario from BMJ Learning – what would you do?

A 6 week old baby is examined at his baby check. His legs appear to be the same length but he has asymmetrical leg creases. You perform Ortolani’s test and feel a clunk. What is likely to be going on? If you are not sure, then this module should help. Click on the link to complete it today:

How to do the infant physical examination at 6-8 weeks (baby check)

And here are our most popular modules in emergency medicine for you to complete:

Chest pain of recent origin – assessment and diagnosis: in association with NICE

Early management of adults with an uncomplicated first generalised seizure

Epilepsy – in association with NICE

Eyes on Evidence topics for March

This month from NICE, Eyes on Evidence topics as follows:

Blood oxygen levels in preterm infants
One randomised controlled trial reports that preterm infants with low blood oxygen levels have higher mortality at discharge than infants with high levels. However, a second randomised controlled trial finds no difference in mortality on the basis of blood oxygen level.

Premature mortality in people with epilepsy
A Swedish total population study finds that people with epilepsy are at increased risk of premature death, with the risk even higher among those with psychiatric disorders.

Oral contraceptive pills in preventing ovarian cancer
A meta-analysis reports a lower incidence of ovarian cancer in women who have ever used oral contraceptive pills than in women who have never used oral contraceptives.

Tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia and risk of severe hypotension
An observational study suggests that tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia is associated with an increased risk of severe hypotension during the first 8 weeks after both starting and restarting treatment.

Socioeconomic disadvantage and onset of disabling chronic conditions in childhood
A longitudinal study of census data from England and Wales shows a link between socioeconomic disadvantage in early childhood and later development of disabling chronic conditions.

Evidence Updates
NICE has recently published Evidence Updates on:

  • Patient experience in adult NHS services
  • The epilepsies

Latest learning modules from BMJ Learning

 

 

 

 

BMJ Learning set this scenario:

You see a 40 year old woman with a two day history of left knee pain. She is unable to stand on the left leg due to this. Her knee is warm, swollen, and tender on examination. What is the most likely diagnosis? And what would you do? If you would like to learn more about this topic, then click on the link to complete this module today.

Knee pain in rheumatology

Additional emergency medicine for you to complete. They give an important update on a range of common dilemmas. 

Chest pain of recent origin – assessment and diagnosis: in association with NICE

Early management of adults with an uncomplicated first generalised seizure 

Epilepsy – in association with NICE

Health Technology Assessment bulletin – May 2013

Effectiveness of biofeedback for managing stress incontinence in women

A new study funded by the HTA Programme will find out whether the use of biofeedback can help to improve the results of teaching pelvic floor exercises for women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence. [more…]

SMILE to help those with poorly controlled epilepsy

A new study funded by the HTA Programme will look at how effective a programme called Self-Management education for adults with poorly controlled epilepsy (SMILE) is in helping those with poorly controlled seizures to become ‘experts’ in dealing with their epilepsy. [more…]

Exercise ineffective against depression in care home residents finds HTA research published in The Lancet

Exercise is not effective in reducing rates of depression among elderly care home residents, according to the findings of an HTA Programme study. [more…]

New modules from BMJ Learning

Some emergency medicine modules are now available for you to complete. They give an important update on a range of common dilemmas.