Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking.As part of a multicentric case-control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA 2 LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres. All cases and controls were selected from the same population, defined by age (20-45 yrs) and place of residence. In a random effects meta-analysis, weekly use of paracetamol, compared with less frequent use, was strongly positively associated with asthma after controlling for confounders. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across centres. No association was seen between use of other analgesics and asthma.These data add to the increasing and consistent epidemiological evidence implicating frequent paracetamol use in asthma in diverse populations.

No abstract

NASH and 7% Hepatitis C. Median MELD score was 15.5 (IQR 13.5-21). All patients were prescribed lactulose. Of the 30 patients, 5 died within 6 months of commencing Rifaximin. One patient was discontinued, due to non-compliance. 24 patients were included in the final analysis. We compared the outcomes for the 6 months prior to, and the 6 months after commencing Rifaximin treatment. Median hospital admissions were reduced from 2 admissions (IQR 1-3, Range 1-5) to 1 admission (IQR 0-2, Range 0-4, Wilcoxon p < 0.05). Median number of bed days was reduced from 27.5 (IQR 16.0-35.3, Range 2-129) to 2.5 (IQR 0-23.5, Range 0-55, Wilcoxon p < 0.05). No patient developed Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in the 6 months after commencing Rifaximin. Conclusion In our hospital, the basic cost of a hospital bed day is £300. A 6 month course of Rifaximin costs £1688. This study demonstrates that Rifaximin treatment in patients with HE, due to chronic liver disease, produced a marked reduction in hospital admissions and hospital bed day occupancy in a District General Hospital, with major cost savings and improved clinical outcomes. Disclosure of Interest None Declared.