RAPID RESPONSES FROM BMJ.COM

doi:10.1136/bmjusa.03070004

BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmjusa.03070004, (Published 30 July 2003)

Following are edited excerpts from Rapid Responses generatedby this article, which can be read in their entirety at http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/326/7398/1083.— Editor

Letter

RAPID RESPONSES FROM BMJ.COM

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

From BMJ USA 2003;July:395

Editor — I have often have heard primary care physiciansand nurses claim that "in their experience" patients' cholesterollevels fall significantly after they have received dietaryadvice. This is unlikely. With the benefit of a control group,it is apparent that even intensive dietary advice has a smalleffect on cholesterol levels. The mistake arises because wefail to appreciate just how variable a single cholesterol measurementactually can be. We also tend to start from a premise of beliefin our beneficence, rather than scientific skepticism. Questioningprofessionals' views of their own efficacy is a fast trackto unpopularity and poses a significant obstacle to understandingvariation.

Tom P Marshall, lecturer in public health

Brimingham niversity, Birmingham, UK. T.P.Marshall

Editor — We disagree with the following statement in thesection on public health: "The policy of vaccinating childrenagainst meningitis was introduced at a time of heightened incidence.The headline benefit of a 75%-90% reduction in . . . [Full text of this article]

Nick J Andrews, statistician, Andre Charlett, Noel Gill

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, UK. nick.andrews@hpa.org.uk