New evidence from NICE

E-cigarette awareness and use to quit smoking
A survey suggests that awareness and use of e-cigarettes has increased over the past few years, but a randomised controlled trial indicates that the products are only modestly effective at helping people to quit smoking.

Beta-2 agonists and exercise-induced asthma
A Cochrane review has assessed the effects of short and long-acting beta-2 agonists for the prevention of exercise-induced asthma in adults and children; the majority of included studies assessed the effect of a single dose of a beta-2 agonist. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has previously issued advice recommending that long-acting beta-2 agonists should not be prescribed for the relief of exercise-induced asthma symptoms in the absence of regular inhaled corticosteroids.

Blood pressure control with home telemonitoring and pharmacist management
A US-based cluster randomised trial indicates that home telemonitoring with pharmacist medication management provides better blood pressure control than usual primary care, even once telemonitoring has finished. 

Risk factors for congenital abnormalities
A prospective study of a UK multi-ethnic birth cohort suggests that consanguinity is a major risk factor for congenital abnormalities, in particular in children of parents of Pakistani origin.

Antidepressant use late in pregnancy and risk of postpartum haemorrhage
A cohort study of women with low income in the USA suggests that use of antidepressants near delivery is associated with an increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage.

CT scans in childhood or adolescence and risk of cancer
A population-based cohort study in Australia suggests that people who undergo CT scans in childhood or adolescence are at increased risk of developing solid, lymphoid and haematopoietic cancers.  

Evidence Updates
NICE has recently published an Evidence Update on:

• Alcohol-use disorders: preventing harmful drinking