Health Benefits of Moderate Drinking May Be Statistical Haze - CME Teaching Brief - MedPage Today

There has been a considerable amount of literature and media promotion of the idea that drinking alcohol has significant health benefits. These benefits have been supported by research. Or have they? A new meta-analysis of 54 studies has brought to light an error that has been overlooked in this research. The Teaching Brief on MedPage Today advises health professionals to 'Explain to patients that this meta-analysis questions the proposed health benefits of light drinking and that more detailed, prospective studies may be necessary to resolve the matter.' It is an excellent example of the need to think critically when exploiting the conclusions of research. You can read a review of this meta-analysis here.