Top 4 Research Studies of the month for Italian Primary Care Physicians: February 2024.

Abstract

This monthly article provides a collection of summaries of the most relevant studies identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) for Italian primary care physicians. 1) For patients with severe fatigue at least 3 months after Covid-19 infection, cognitive behavioral therapy offers significant improvement in symptoms over care as usual. 2) Key changes in the US chronic coronary disease guideline recommendations include the following. Shortening the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy, the use of beta-blockers in patients with chronic coronary disease, not recommending fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids for secondary prevention, not using e-cigarettes as first-line agents (but as secondary agents) for smoking cessation, and incorporating sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (Sglt-2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for some patients with chronic coronary disease, including those without comorbid diabetes mellitus. 3) People with irritable bowel syndrome can try various probiotic-containing products to lessen their symptoms, but on the whole, most people will not experience a significant reduction. Products containing Escherichia strains were the most likely to provide a benefit, but these are not widely available. 4) Framing weight loss in terms of its positive effects, rather than by listing the risks of excess weight, increased patients' participation in a weight-loss program and increased their eventual weight loss.