104 – LASIK / HIV PrEP and STIs / Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis

What does the body of evidence say on LASIK, the use of lasers to correct vision? Plus: many men on PreP are abandoning condoms as STIs are becoming more common, and Chris tells us if krill oil can cure arthritis of the knee. Also, Jonathan briefly imitates Alex Jones. A Block: LASIK (0:59) How lasers are used in medicine; LASIK and its cousins; how to choose; effectiveness, satisfaction, and side effects. B Block: HIV PrEP and STIs (28:18) How does pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV works, and what is simultaneously happening with condom use (going down) and rates of STIs (going up). Also, what is Doxy-PEP? C Block: Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis (44:45) An Australian trial of krill oil for arthritis of the knee came to the conclusion that… well, what do you think? * Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl * Assistant researcher: Aigul Zaripova   To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/. To make a one-time donation to our show, you can now use PayPal! https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Patrons get a bonus show on Patreon called “Digressions”! Check it out!   References: Comparisons of LASIK and its related techniques: 1) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174810  2) DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2007.07.026  3) DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2007.131748  4) DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2017.03.013  5) DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012687.pub2    Outcomes from LASIK: 6) DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(99)00148-7  7) DOI: 10.1016/s0161-6420(00)00528-5  8) doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2016.4587   UpToDate entries pertaining to HIV, PrEP, and Doxy-PEP: 9) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis 10) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/primary-care-of-gay-men-and-men-who-have-sex-with-men 11) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/prevention-of-sexually-transmitted-infections 12) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hiv-infection-risk-factors-and-prevention-strategies   13) Statistics Canada survey of sexually active 15-to-24-year-olds: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020009/article/00001-eng.htm 14) Increased rates of STIs according to Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/report-sexually-transmitted-infection-surveillance-canada-2019.html 15) Systematic review and meta-analysis on sexual risk behaviour in men who use PrEP: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy182 16) Australian trial on krill oil for knee osteoarthritis: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.6063   It’s Not Twitter But It’ll Do: 1) Jonathan’s article about Lumina to avoid dental cavities: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-technology/reports-death-dental-cavities-are-greatly-exaggerated 2) The Skeptics’ Dictionary: https://www.skepdic.com/