Tools for Practice TFP #353 – Turn Down the Heat! Can non-hormonal drugs improve vasomotor symptoms in menopause?
Do non-hormonal medications improve menopausal vasomotor symptoms?
After 12 weeks, approximately 50-75% of women with menopausal vasomotor symptoms experience ≥50% decrease in hot flashes with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or gabapentin versus 35-60% on placebo. Placebo reduces the number of hot flashes by about 40-50%, with an additional 10-20% reduction from SSRIs, SNRIs, and gabapentin. Read More
27 November 2023
Tools for Practice #352 Do-It-Yourself Hearing Aids
Do self-fitted hearing aids improve hearing for adults with mild to moderate-severe hearing loss?
Some, but not all, direct-to-consumer self-fitted hearing aids are likely comparable to conventional hearing aids fitted via audiogram, at a much lower cost. Access and guidance/regulations on direct-to-consumer self-fitted hearing aids is limited in Canada. See suggestions below. Read More
14 November 2023
Tools for Practice #351 Flaked out? Topical treatment for seborrheic dermatitis
How effective are topical treatments for adult facial or scalp seborrheic dermatitis?
About 40-50% of adults will have complete clearance of seborrheic dermatitis at 4 weeks with ketoconazole 2% or ciclopirox 1% compared to ~25% with placebo. Less studied interventions (metronidazole, corticosteroids, pimecrolimus) may be as effective but some have more adverse events (pimecrolimus, corticosteroids). Read More
30 October 2023
Tools for Practice #350 Not a Dry Eye in the House – Looking into Artificial Tears
How effective are artificial tears for dry eye syndrome?
While most products improve symptom scores, comparisons to placebo/no treatment are rare. Differences in patient outcomes between artificial tear products (including preservative versus preservative free) are rare, inconsistent, and likely unreliable. Product selection can be guided by costs and personal preference. Read More
16 October 2023
Tools for Practice #349 An ASA a day when a baby’s on the way?
#349 An ASA a day when a baby’s on the way?
In women at risk for preeclampsia at ~12-28 weeks gestation, low-dose ASA (50-150mg) reduces risk of preeclampsia by an absolute ~2%, perinatal death by ~0.5%, and preterm birth by ~2% compared to placebo. The risk of postpartum hemorrhage is increased by up to ~1%. Read More
2 October 2023
