Cumulative flying time and risk of venous thromboembolism.

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with cumulative flying time remains uncertain. In a case-control study in general practices throughout the UK, participants comprised 550 VTE cases identified from practice records and 1971 age- and gender-matched controls. Participants returned identical questionnaires asking for information including air travel details.

Health related quality of life after combined hormone replacement therapy: randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effect of combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on health related quality of life.

Design: Randomised placebo controlled double blind trial.

Setting: General practices in United Kingdom (384), Australia (94), and New Zealand (24).

Main morbidities recorded in the women's international study of long duration oestrogen after menopause (WISDOM): a randomised controlled trial of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To assess the long term risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (combined hormone therapy versus placebo, and oestrogen alone versus combined hormone therapy).

Design: Multicentre, randomised, placebo controlled, double blind trial.

Setting: General practices in UK (384), Australia (91), and New Zealand (24).

The Women's international study of long-duration oestrogen after menopause (WISDOM): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: At the time of feasibility work and final design of the trial there was no randomised control trial evidence for the long-term risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. Observational studies had suggested that long term use of estrogen was likely to be associated, amongst other things, with reduced risks of osteoporosis and ischaemic heart disease and increased risks of breast and endometrial cancer. Concomitant use of progestogens had been shown to protect against endometrial cancer, but there were few data showing how progestogen might affect estrogen actions on other conditions.

Population-based multidimensional assessment of older people in UK general practice: a cluster-randomised factorial trial.

Background: The benefit of multidimensional assessment and management of older people remains controversial. Most trials have been too small to produce adequate evidence to inform policy. We aimed to measure the effects of different approaches to assessment and management of older people.

The management of newly identified asthma in primary care in England.

Aims: To establish by case note review how people with newly diagnosed asthma were treated in general practice.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was carried out in twelve general practices from the MRC General Practice Research Framework. Children between their 3rd and 8th birthdays and adults 16 years and over were identified with newly diagnosed or treated asthma from computer records with further details obtained from a case record search.