Research Christmas 2020: Dr Strange Effectiveness of hospital clowns for symptom management in paediatrics: systematic review of randomised and non-randomised controlled trials Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior, Emiliana Bomfim, Karin Olson, et al BMJ 2020; 371: m4290 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4290 (Published 16 December 2020) Abstract Objective To evaluate evidence from randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials on the effecti...

Editorial December 9, 2020 Searching for the Optimal PEEP in Patients Without ARDS: High, Low, or in Between? Sarina K. Sahetya, Ewan C. Goligher, Arthur S. Slutsky JAMA. Published online December 9, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.23067 Positive pressure ventilation is lifesaving for patients with acute respiratory failure and has been the cornerstone of care for critically ill patients since the polio epidemic in the 1950s. Increasing end-expirato...

Research Christmas 2020: The Citadel Toxicological analysis of George’s marvellous medicine: literature review Graham Johnson, Patrick Davies BMJ 2020; 371: m4467 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4467 (Published 10 December 2020) Abstract Objective To analyse the therapeutic effects and toxicity of the eponymous concoction described in Roald Dahl’s book George’s Marvellous Medicine. Design Literature review. Setting Two literature lovin...

ORIGINAL ARTICLE A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19 Oriol Mitjà, Marc Corbacho-Monné, Maria Ubals, et al N Engl J Med November 24, 2020DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021801 Abstract BACKGROUND Current strategies for preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are limited to nonpharmacologic interventions. Hydroxychloroquine has been proposed as a postexposure therapy to prevent coronavir...

Research Christmas 2020: Grey’s Anatomy The Babinski sign in Renaissance paintings—a reappraisal of the toe phenomenon in representations of the Christ Child: observational analysis François Sellal, Laurent Tatu BMJ 2020;371:m4556 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4556 (Published 10 December 2020)Cite this as:  Abstract Objective To investigate systematically the presence of the Babinski sign in paintings of the Christ Child by the greatest painters...

Original Investigation July 15, 2020 Risk Factors Associated With Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19 in Intensive Care Units in Lombardy, Italy Giacomo Grasselli, Massimiliano Greco, Alberto Zanella, et al JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(10):1345-1355. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3539 Abstract Importance Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are critically ill and require care in the intensive care unit (ICU). Objective To ev...

Research Christmas 2020: Dr Strange Effect of therapeutic suggestions during general anaesthesia on postoperative pain and opioid use: multicentre randomised controlled trial Hartmuth Nowak, Nina Zech, Sven Asmussen, et al BMJ 2020; 371: m4284 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4284 (Published 10 December 2020) Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of therapeutic suggestions played to patients through earphones during surgery on postoperative ...

Original Investigation July 1, 2020 Estimation of Excess Deaths Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States, March to May 2020 Daniel M. Weinberger, Jenny Chen, Ted Cohen, et al JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(10):1336-1344. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3391 Abstract Importance Efforts to track the severity and public health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States have been hampered by state-level differences in...

Research Christmas 2020: The Citadel The shared risk of diabetes between dog and cat owners and their pets: register based cohort study Rachel Ann Delicano, Ulf Hammar, Agneta Egenvall, et al BMJ 2020;371:m4337 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4337 (Published 10 December 2020) Abstract Objective To investigate whether dog and cat owners and their pets share a risk of developing diabetes. Design Cohort study. Setting Register based longi...

Original Investigation December 8, 2020 Effect of Co-trimoxazole (Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole) vs Placebo on Death, Lung Transplant, or Hospital Admission in Patients With Moderate and Severe Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The EME-TIPAC Randomized Clinical Trial Andrew M. Wilson, Allan B. Clark, Tony Cahn, et al JAMA. 2020;324(22):2282-2291. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.22960 Abstract Importance Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has a poor pr...