Example evidence answers

These are example CliniAtlas answers to common clinical questions, shown in full so you can see the format: a plain-language synthesis with citations beside supported claims, sources graded by their place in the evidence hierarchy, and honest limitations. Verify as a healthcare professional to ask your own questions against live sources.

• Do GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes?Yes — a class-level reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, best established in higher-risk patients.
• What are the benefits and harms of melatonin for insomnia in adults?A small reduction in sleep latency and modest gain in sleep time; CBT-I is first-line, melatonin only weakly recommended.
• Do SGLT2 inhibitors help in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?Yes — they reduce heart-failure hospitalisation across the preserved/mildly-reduced EF range; mortality benefit is not established.
• Direct oral anticoagulants vs warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation — which is preferred?DOACs are at least as effective as warfarin with less intracranial bleeding, and are preferred first-line in non-valvular AF.
• Do corticosteroids help in community-acquired pneumonia?In severe CAP requiring intensive care, adjunctive corticosteroids reduce mortality; benefit in non-severe disease is weaker.
• Does vitamin D supplementation prevent fractures in older adults?In generally healthy, non-deficient adults, vitamin D does not reduce fractures; deficient or osteoporotic groups differ.
• How long should dual antiplatelet therapy continue after PCI?12 months is the default after ACS, individualised by bleeding and ischaemic risk; 1 month can suffice in high bleeding risk.
• Does tranexamic acid help in postpartum haemorrhage?Early tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in postpartum haemorrhage; benefit is time-critical (within 3 hours).
• Do SGLT2 inhibitors reduce mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction?Yes — a class effect reducing cardiovascular death and heart-failure hospitalisation, independent of diabetes status.
• How much weight loss does semaglutide produce in adults with overweight or obesity?Around 15% of body weight at 68 weeks with 2.4 mg weekly plus lifestyle intervention, versus about 2.4% with placebo.
• Should healthy older adults take aspirin for primary cardiovascular prevention?No — in healthy adults aged 70 and over, aspirin did not reduce cardiovascular events and increased major bleeding.
• Do corticosteroids reduce mortality in severe COVID-19?Yes — in patients requiring oxygen or ventilation. There was no benefit, and possible harm, in those needing no respiratory support.
• Does low-dose colchicine reduce cardiovascular events in coronary disease?Yes — roughly a quarter to a third fewer ischaemic events in two randomised trials, on top of standard therapy.
• What does finerenone add in chronic kidney disease with type 2 diabetes?Slower kidney disease progression and fewer cardiovascular events, on top of maximally tolerated RAS blockade.
• Is tirzepatide more effective than semaglutide for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes?In a head-to-head trial, tirzepatide lowered HbA1c and body weight more than semaglutide 1 mg, with a similar side-effect profile.
• Do statins actually cause muscle symptoms in patients who report them?In randomised n-of-1 trials, muscle symptom scores were no different on statin than on placebo, pointing to a nocebo effect.

Looking for the trials behind these answers? The trial explainers cover DAPA-HF, EMPEROR-Reduced, DELIVER, FIDELIO-DKD, STEP 1, SURPASS-2, SELECT, RECOVERY, COLCOT, and ASPREE with absolute numbers, harms, and limitations.