Ann Robinson’s Research Reviews — 12 May 2022

    May 2022 in “ The BMJ
    Ann Robinson
    From the encyclopedia
    Baricitinib →

    JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

    Alopecia Areata →

    autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

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    Studysummary This study found that self-monitoring blood pressure among pregnant women with hypertension did not significantly improve clinical outcomes compared to usual care, though women reported positive cognitive and emotional responses.
    Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
    This document reviews several studies. One pre-COVID, unblinded, randomized trial found that self-monitoring of blood pressure by pregnant women with known chronic or gestational hypertension did not improve outcomes compared to usual care. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 76 trials involving over 100,000 patients found that GLP-1 RAs, developed for diabetes treatment but increasingly used for non-diabetic obesity, were associated with an increased risk of gallbladder or biliary disease. Two randomized phase 3 trials found that baricitinib, a selective inhibitor of Janus kinases 1 and 2, was effective in treating severe alopecia areata. A phase 3 trial of a plant-based COVID-19 vaccine found it to be 69.5% effective against symptomatic COVID-19, with no severe cases in the vaccine group. Lastly, a retrospective cohort study from Taiwan found that novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) had significantly lower hazards of developing macrovascular and microvascular complications, glycaemic emergencies, and mortality in people with diabetes and atrial fibrillation compared to warfarin.
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