Barriers and facilitators to screening and treating malnutrition in older adults living in the community: a mixed-methods synthesis.

Background: Malnutrition (specifically undernutrition) in older, community-dwelling adults reduces well-being and predisposes to disease. Implementation of screen-and-treat policies could help to systematically detect and treat at-risk and malnourished patients. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing malnutrition screen and treat policies in primary/community care, which barriers have been addressed and which facilitators have been successfully incorporated in existing interventions.

Management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care: feasibility randomised controlled trial of mebeverine, methylcellulose, placebo and a patient self-management cognitive behavioural therapy website. (MIBS trial).

Background: IBS affects 10-22% of the UK population. Abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habit affect quality of life, social functioning and time off work. Current GP treatment relies on a positive diagnosis, reassurance, lifestyle advice and drug therapies, but many suffer ongoing symptoms.

A randomised controlled trial of management strategies for acute infective conjunctivitis in general practice.

Objective: To assess different management strategies for acute infective conjunctivitis.

Design: Open, factorial, randomised controlled trial.

Setting: 30 general practices in southern England.

Managing nocturnal leg cramps--calf-stretching exercises and cessation of quinine treatment: a factorial randomised controlled trial.

Background: Quinine is a common treatment for nocturnal leg cramps but has potential side effects. An uncontrolled study suggested that calf-stretching exercises could prevent nocturnal leg cramps (night cramps) but these findings have never been confirmed.

Aim: To assess the effect of calf-stretching exercises and cessation of quinine treatment for patients with night cramps taking quinine.

Relative efficacy of differential methods of dietary advice: a systematic review.

Background: Dietary advice to lower blood cholesterol may be given by a variety of means. The relative efficacy of the different methods is unknown.

Objective: The objective was to assess the effects of dietary advice given by dietitians compared with advice from other health professionals, or self-help resources, in reducing blood cholesterol in adults.