No definitive conclusion can currently be drawn for either supplement. The findings from all the DMSO studies need to be viewed with caution because of poor methodology including; possible unblinding, and questionable treatment duration and dose. The data from the more rigorous MSM trials provide positive but not definitive evidence that MSM is superior to placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate OA of the knee. Further studies are now required to identify both the optimum dosage and longer-term safety of MSM and DMSO, and definitive efficacy trials.

Men with prostate cancer are reported as commonly using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) but surveys have not recently been subjected to a rigorous systematic review incorporating quality assessment. Six electronic databases were searched using pre-defined terms. Detailed information was extracted systematically from each relevant article. Study reporting quality was assessed using a quality assessment tool, which demonstrated acceptable inter-rater reliability and produces a percentage score. In all, 42 studies are reviewed. All were published in English between 1999 and 2009; 60% were conducted in the United States. The reporting quality was mixed (median score ¼ 66%, range 23-94%). Significant heterogeneity precluded formal meta-analysis. In all, 39 studies covering 11 736 men reported overall prevalence of CAM use; this ranged from 8 to 90% (median ¼ 30%). In all, 10 studies reported prevalence of CAM use specifically for cancer care; this ranged from 8 to 50% (median ¼ 30%). Some evidence suggested CAM use is more common in men with higher education/incomes and more severe disease. The prevalence of CAM use among men with prostate cancer varies greatly across studies. Future studies should use standardised and validated data collection techniques to reduce bias and enhance comparability.

Background: Men with prostate cancer are reported as commonly using

We need more GPs in the UK if we are to manage our ageing and increasingly multi-morbid population. However, there is a manpower crisis in NHS primary care, with GP recruitment falling and older doctors taking early retirement. Although there has been considerable research into medical staff stress, there are relatively few studies of coping and resilience in doctors. However, there is some evidence that intensive, brief resilience training can be beneficial. Our aim was to establish if REFRAME could help GPs develop skills that improve their well-being and resilience and to establish whether participants feel the outcome measures employed capture their experience.

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether the addition of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to antibiotics is of benefit to patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI). A total of 80 papers was found using the reported search, of which four represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that the level of evidence is limited and that there is no clear indication of benefit in this group of patients.