A randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of vitamin B12 supplementation on neurological function in healthy older people: the Older People and Enhanced Neurological function (OPEN) study protocol [ISRCTN54195799].

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in older people and the prevalence increases with age. Vitamin B12 deficiency may present as macrocytic anaemia, subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, or as neuropathy, but is often asymptomatic in older people. The diagnosis and indications for treatment are clear for individuals with low plasma levels of vitamin B12 in the setting of megaloblastic anaemia and neuropathy, but the relevance of treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency in the absence of such clinical signs is uncertain.

'Talking of Sex': developing and piloting a sexual health communication tool for use in primary care.

Objective: To develop and pilot a communication aid aimed at increasing the frequency with which sexual health issues are raised proactively with young people in primary care.

Methods: Group interviews among primary health care professionals to guide development of the tool, simulated consultations to pre-test it, and a pilot study to assess effectiveness.

Results: We developed an electronic consultation aid: Talking of Sex and piloted it in eight general practices across the UK.

Effect of 2-y n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive function in older people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Background: Increased consumption of n-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may maintain cognitive function in later life.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that n-3 LC PUFA supplementation would benefit cognitive function in cognitively healthy older people.

Design: At total of 867 cognitively healthy adults, aged 70-79 y, from 20 general practices in England and Wales were randomly assigned into a double-blind controlled trial of daily capsules providing 200 mg EPA plus 500 mg DHA or olive oil for 24 mo.

Topical intranasal corticosteroids in 4-11 year old children with persistent bilateral otitis media with effusion in primary care: double blind randomised placebo controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the clinical effectiveness of topical intranasal corticosteroids in children with bilateral otitis media with effusion.

Design: Double blind randomised placebo controlled trial.

Setting: 76 Medical Research Council General Practice Research Framework practices throughout the United Kingdom, between 2004 and 2007.

A randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive and retinal function in cognitively healthy older people: the Older People And n-3 Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (OPAL) study protocol [ISRCTN72331636].

The number of individuals with age-related cognitive impairment is rising dramatically in the UK and globally. There is considerable interest in the general hypothesis that improving the diet of older people may slow the progression of cognitive decline. To date, there has been little attention given to the possible protective role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPs) most commonly found in oily fish, in age-related loss of cognitive function.