Combined treatments for hypertension . . . and other stories - The BMJ

Polypills for hypertension

A systematic review gives a thumbs up to fixed dose combinations of antihypertensive drugs. Trials of low dose triple and quadruple combinations show that they are effective and safe as first line therapy for stage 2 hypertension (blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg). A strong advantage of combination treatment is that adherence to medication is high (Heart doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2022-321496).

Antibiotics and inflammatory bowel disease

A registry study from Denmark finds a weak but consistent link between antibiotic prescription and a subsequent diagnosis of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The strongest association was seen one to two years after antibiotic exposure in people …