A quality assessment tool to evaluate tocolytic studies

Over the past 15 years, the use of β-agonists has declined worldwide. Following the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines in 2002, clinicians in the UK and beyond were faced with the dilemma of continuing to use β-agonists, desist from using tocolytic therapy completely or choosing to change to atosiban or calcium channel blockers (CCBs). While grade A level 1 evidence exists to show that atosiban is significantly more efficacious than placebo and significantly safer than β-agonists for the treatment of spontaneous preterm labour, the evidence for CCBs, such as nifedipine, is much less robust and no placebo-controlled trials have been performed. Published studies on nifedipine are largely investigator-led studies of small sample size, which lack sufficient power. As a result, most of the evidence has been based on meta-analyses of these studies, which look retrospectively at pooled data and are only as good as the quality of the studies included. In light of this, a tool was developed to produce a systematic review of studies on tocolytic effectiveness, which can and should be applied to all tocolytics and which considered both method- and topic-specific markers of quality. In the process of applying this tool to nifedipine, an extensive literature search identified 31 studies for a systematic review of the quality of nifedipine studies assessed by eight paired reviewers with wide experience in the subject of spontaneous preterm labour and preterm birth. Forty topic- and method-specific items of quality were assessed. The paucity of good quality studies of nifedipine used for the treatment of spontaneous preterm labour should be highlighted in meta-analyses or systematic reviews, which measure efficacy and should limit and influence the degree to which recommendations and guidelines are made on the basis of such studies.     

口服米索前列醇用于早期妊娠人工流产术前扩张宫颈的有效性和安全性评价

目的:系统评价口服米索前列醇与安慰剂比较用于孕早期人工流产术前扩张宫颈的有效性和安全性。方法:检索相关文献并行Meta分析。据异质性检验结果采用固定效应模型、敏感性分析或随机效应模型等处理。结果:纳入文献5篇688例,国外文献质量高于国内。口服米索前列醇较之安慰剂宫颈扩张度好的比例较高,可降低术中出血量及疼痛发生率;在人工流产综合征(PAAS)、胃肠道副反应和用药后腹痛发生率及手术时间上两者差异无统计学意义。结论:国内原始研究质量有待提高,结局指标需更加规范。口服米索前列醇对于扩张宫颈有较好临床效果,而在其他有效性指标方面效果不明显,其安全性有待更多证据加以评价。     

系统护理对头颈癌患者放疗所致口腔黏膜炎预防效果的Meta分析

【摘要】 目的 探究系统护理干预对头颈癌患者放射性口腔黏膜炎的预防效果。方法 计算机检索中国期刊全文数据库、中文科技期刊全文数据库、万方数字化期刊全文数据库与PubMed,并通过其他资源补充检索,检索时间均从建库~2017年12月4日。由2名评价员根据纳入与排除标准对文献筛选、资料提取和严格质量评价后,采用RevMan53软件进行Meta分析。结果 最终纳入7项随机对照试验,共计827名患者。Meta分析结果显示,系统护理组口腔黏膜炎的发生情况主要以Ⅰ、Ⅱ级为主,Ⅲ级较少,Ⅳ级全无;而常规护理组则以Ⅱ、Ⅲ级为主,Ⅰ、Ⅳ级较少,但均有发生。结论 系统护理干预后能使放射性口腔黏膜炎的严重程度减轻,预防重型放射性口腔黏膜炎的发生。     

复方丹参注射液联合西咪替丁治疗过敏性紫癜效果及安全性系统评价

【摘要】 目的 系统评价复方丹参注射液联合西咪替丁治疗过敏性紫癜的疗效及安全性。方法 检索各种中外文数据库、OA资源库、百度学术搜索引擎以及最新的纸质文献,追溯纳入研究的参考文献,全面收集有关复方丹参注射液联合西咪替丁治疗过敏性紫癜的临床随机对照试验。由两名评审员评估试验的质量并独立提取数据。使用RevMan53软件进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入15个随机对照试验,1005例患者,漏斗图呈不对称分布,提示可能存在发表偏倚或纳入文献方法学质量较低。Meta分析结果显示：在总有效率方面,复方丹参注射液联合西咪替丁组优于含有西咪替丁的常规治疗组和不含西咪替丁的常规治疗组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜005）;和对照组相比,复方丹参注射液联合西咪替治疗过敏性紫癜可以降低复发率和减少肾脏损害率（P＜005）,同时可以缩短皮疹、腹疼、消化道症状、关节疼痛等症状消失时间以及肾脏损害恢复时间（P＜005）;治疗期间均未见严重不良反应的报道。结论 复方丹参注射液联合西咪替丁治疗过敏性紫癜是一种相对安全、有效的治疗方案。但纳入研究的文献质量低,其疗效需要进一步高质量临床试验来验证。     

Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by menopausal women: A systematic review of surveys

Large proportions of women have turned to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for relief from their menopausal symptoms. This highlights the need for more rigorous research into CAM. This article is aimed at critically reviewing surveys that examine the prevalence of CAM use by menopausal women worldwide. Eleven databases were searched for peer-reviewed surveys published in any language between 01 January 2000 and 27 October 2012. The bibliographies of the retrieved articles and relevant book chapters were also hand searched. Twenty-six surveys were identified, and they included a total of 32,465 menopausal women. The majority of these surveys were of poor methodological quality. Based on 6 surveys, 32.9% of women stated they were current/regular CAM users. Based on 9 surveys, 50.5% of women reported that they used CAM specifically for their menopausal symptoms. The average 12-month prevalence of CAM use was 47.7% (range: 33.1–56.2). Fifty-five percent of women did not disclose their use of CAM to their healthcare professional. The majority of women sought information about CAM from the media. The most popular CAM modality was herbal medicine, followed by soy/phytoestrogens, evening primrose oil, relaxation and yoga. There are a large number of predominantly low-quality surveys monitoring the prevalence of CAM use among menopausal women worldwide. The available evidence suggests that the prevalence of CAM use is high.     

A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of Rosa damascena Mill. with an overview on its phytopharmacological properties

Rosa damascena Mill. is one of the most famous ornamental plants cultivated all over the world mostly for perfumery industries. Traditionally it has been used as an astringent, analgesic, cardiac and intestinal tonic.The paucity ofauthoritative monographs urged usto summarize its clinical effectiveness and safety with acomprehensive review of the literature.“PUBMED”, “SCOPUS”, “WEBOF SCIENCE” were searched up to April 30, 2017 with search terms:(“Rosa damascena” OR “Damask Rose”). All human studies with any mono-preparation were included. In vitro and animal studies from “PUBMED”were also reviewed and outlined.Of “1000” identified publications, twelveeligibleclinical trials were retrieved. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, protective neuronal, cardiac, gastrointestinal and hepatic effectsin 30 in vitro and 21 animal studies were also shown. there are promising evidences for the effectiveness and safety of Rosa damascena Mill in pain relief, but confirmatory studies withstandardized products is suggested.     

Principle of relative positioning of structures in the human body

The arrangement of various biological structures should generally ensure the safety of crucial structures and increase their working efficiency; however, other principles governing the relative positions of structures in humans have not been reported. The present study therefore investigated other principles using nerves and their companion vessels in the human body as an example. Nerves and blood vessels usually travel together and in the most direct way towards their targets. Human embryology, histology, and gross anatomy suggest that there are many possible positions for these structures during development. However, for mechanical reasons, tougher or stronger structures should take priority. Nerves are tougher than most other structures, followed by arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. Nerves should therefore follow the most direct route, and be followed by the arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels. This general principle should be applicable to all living things.     

Professional Burnout:

This paper attempts to answer the question of why social caseworkers have ongoing supervision by exploring the historical evolution of social work supervision. Supervision has withstood the many changes in the field since its beginning in the late 1800s and has been reinterpreted to fit the prevailing theories guiding practice, thus avoiding obsolescence. Supervision began as an educational device, then evolved into a practice tool, later became a therapeutic method, and then became a separate entity from therapy.     

Variables associated with pulmonary thromboembolism in injured patients: A systematic review

BackgroundPulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a dangerous complication of traumatic injury, with varied risk profiles and treatment options. This review aims to describe reported incidence and variables associated with PTE among severely injured patients.MethodsSearches were conducted using PubMed, Cochrane and MEDLINE. Relevant studies were identified by two independent reviewers based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Incidence of PTE was the primary outcome measure. Variables associated with PTE was the secondary outcome measure. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess quality of included studies.ResultsThere were eight studies that satisfied inclusion criteria. The diagnosed incidence of PTE in these populations ranged from 0.35 to 24%. The most common variables associated with PTE were pelvic or lower limb injury, chest injury, higher total Injury Severity Score, male sex and age. Variables that were less commonly associated with PTE were previous warfarin use, head injury, high serum lactate, soft tissue injury, more than one operation, more than three days on a ventilator, presence of a subclavian central venous catheter, need for a blood transfusion, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, abdominal injury, presence of a deep venous thrombosis, inferior vena cava filter placement and isolated liver spleen or spinal injuries.ConclusionsThe reported incidence of PTE after major trauma is variable and dependent on inclusion criteria, diagnostic criteria and study design. Identified variables differed to those reported for venous thromboembolism in other populations. It is difficult to predict populations at risk of clinically significant PTE following injury using available evidence. Further studies linked to patient-specific variables will assist in more precise risk-stratification and interventions.     

Rituximabe para o tratamento da artrite reumatoide: Revisão sistemática

IntroductionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic joint inflammation that often leads to significant disability. Several effective anti–TNF agents have been used, but some patients have shown an inadequate response. Rituximab is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody indicated in such cases.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review to access efficacy and safety of rituximab in patients with active RA which have or have not been treated with anti–TNF agents before, and to relate outcome with RF and anti–CCP serology. We searched major electronics databases, grey literature and searched for references manually. We used Review Manager®5.1 for meta–analysis.ResultsWe included six RCTs comparing rituximab 1000 mg with placebo. Methotrexate was used by both groups. Treatment with rituximab was more effective in naïve and in anti–TNF treatment failure patients ACR20/50/70 and EULAR response. We observed lower changes in Total Genant–modified Sharp score, erosion score and joint narrowing scores in the rituximab group, and SF–36, FACIT–T and HAQ–DI scores were also better in this group. There were no differences between groups regarding safety outcomes, with exception of acute injection reactions, which were more common on rituximab group. More RF/anti–CCP seropositive patients achieved ACR20 than RF/anti–CP negative patients in rituximab group.ConclusionAvailable data support the use of rituximab for the treatment of RA, as it is an effective and safe option for naïve and anti–TNF treatment failure patients. RF and anti–CCP seam to influence treatment results, but this inference needs further research.