The Evidence Base Supporting the Subtyping of Gamblers in Treatment

Introduction Recent reviews found problem gamblers are heterogeneous and recommended subtyping gamblers in treatment studies. Objective Review factors (stage of change, preferred gambling activity, co-occurring disorder, and temporal instability of symptoms) for subtyping by evaluating the evidence for their effects on gambling treatment. Methods Literature review, evidence grading. Results Evidence is limited that any of the reviewed factors affects gambling treatment. Substantial evidence from prospective studies and other evidence from cross-sectional studies and the strong placebo response among pathological gamblers support the temporal instability of gambling symptoms. Conclusions Multiple studies are needed to develop the evidence base needed to subtype gamblers in treatment. Changes in the diagnostic criteria of pathological gambling may be necessary, especially to specify the persistence of gambling-related symptoms.     

肩锁钩钢板内固定治疗RockwoodⅢ～V型肩锁关节脱位

目的总结肩锁钩钢板内固定治疗RockwoodⅢ～Ⅴ型肩锁关节脱位的疗效。方法2001年3月-2003年12月,对12例肩锁关节脱位患者采用切开复位肩锁钩钢板内固定治疗,其中RockwoodⅢ型8例,Ⅳ型2例,Ⅴ型2例；脱位距就诊时间为2 h～5 d,平均2．5 d。结果术后10例获得3个月～2年随访,2例失访。术后肩锁关节位置恢复,肩关节外展上举活动范围达160°～170°,2例在举重物时肩锁关节有轻度的疼痛,1例肩关节外展80°时肩锁关节开始疼痛,患侧上肢肌力较健侧稍减弱。肩关节功能按Constant标准评定为86～96分,平均92分。结论肩锁钩钢板内固定可恢复肩锁关节的解剖位置和微动特性,是治疗重度肩锁关节脱位的良好术式。     

From Innumeracy to Insight: The Uncertainty of Help versus Harm in Treatment of Asymptomatic Aortic Aneurysms

There is insufficient evidence that the surgical treatment of asymptomatic infrarenal aneurysms > 5.5 cm. is beneficial to patients. This is the result of serious complications of aneurysm surgery and the dearth of information from randomized trials. Based on evidence from the literature we defined scenarios and translated data into natural frequency trees to improve understanding of the uncertainty of help versus harm due to treatment of aneurysms. Our analysis shows that the majority of patients can expect little on longevity from surgery while they are at risk of dying from surgery or suffering from serious morbidity. We conclude that, as long as uncertainty persist, patients should be treated in hospitals that can show very low surgical mortality and major morbidity rates. To further resolve the problem of uncertainty randomized trials for larger aneurysms should be performed. Important issues to discuss are the lower and upper limits of the diameter of the aneurysms and the age and risk profiles of the patients to be included in such trials.     

参麦注射液治疗老年哮喘临床分析

目的探讨参麦注射液治疗老年哮喘的临床价值。方法选择60例老年哮喘，随机分为参麦治疗组和常规对照组进行临床观察。结果参麦组肺功能（FVC、FEVI、VC、FEV％）在治疗后较治疗前明显增加，并有显著差异（p＜0.01）；对照组治疗前后对比差异无显著性（P＞0.05）；两组组间比较有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。参麦组临床疗效及总有效率明显优于对照组（p＜0.01），差异十分显著。结论参麦注射液对改善老年哮喘肺功能及缓解哮喘症状有较好疗效。     

含左氧氟沙星及卷曲霉素方案治疗耐多药肺结核近期疗效分析

目的　观察和评价含左氧氟沙星和卷曲霉素联合化疗方案在耐多药肺结核 (MDR PTB)治疗中的疗效。方法　将 177例MDR PTB患者分为治疗组 88例和对照组 89例。化疗方案 :治疗组以左氧氟沙星和卷曲霉素为主 ,联合利福喷汀、异烟肼、对氨基水杨酸钠、吡嗪酰胺 ;对照组用链霉素、乙胺丁醇 ,联用药物同治疗组 ,疗程均为 2 1个月。结果　共有 16 1例患者完成化疗疗程 ,治疗组 82例 ,痰菌阴转率 83% ;对照组 79例 ,痰菌阴转率 5 8% ;痰菌阴转率治疗组明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ;治疗组病灶显效率 5 0 % ,空洞闭合率 6 3% ,治疗组优于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ;治疗组的药物不良反应率为 31% ,对照组为 35 % ,两组比较差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　含左氧氟沙星和卷曲霉素的方案治疗MDR PTB ,有助于痰菌阴转和病变吸收好转 ,药物不良反应低 ,值得在临床上推广应用     

Cancer support groups – are they effective?

Cancer causes significatlt emotional distress to a considerable majority of patients. Many of these patients typically receive little formal psychological intervention. Support groups, however, have provided one forum from which patients can attempt to gain help and can use to overcome some psychological trauma that accompanies the cancer hagnosis, subsequent treatment and relapse. This article reviews past studies of professionally run cancer support groups as opposed to psychological intervention groups. These studies are considered in light of the proposed benefits and the methodological limitations frequently inherent in such studies.     

Placebo responses in the treatment of urge incontinence

The treatment options of patients with urge incontinence are behavioral therapy, drug therapy and surgery. The evaluation and reported efficacy of these treatments, with particular reference to the potential placebo response in treatment is discussed.     

持续静脉滴注安定治疗频繁发作的小儿癫痫

目的探讨持续静脉滴注安定法治疗频繁发作小儿癫痫的疗效.方法对28例频繁发作癫痫的患儿,采用安定持续静脉滴注,按发作情况调整滴注速度,比较治疗前后的发作频率;应用荧光偏振免疫法测定血安定浓度.结果持续静脉滴注安定治疗后每日发作次数较治疗前明显减少(P<0.01).血安定浓度的安全有效范围为574.50±291.57μg/ml.安定静脉滴注速度与血药浓度呈正相关(γ=0.941,P<0.01).结论持续静脉滴注安定是一种安全有效的控制小儿频繁发作癫痫的辅助治疗方法.     

Ethical aspects of withdrawing/withholding renal replacement therapies on patients in acute renal failure in an intensive care unit

The majority of patients being treated for acute renal failure in intensive care units have multiple medical problems. Accordingly, the withdrawal of renal replacement therapies should be considered as part of a general decision about whether to initiate or continue with treatment per se. Several guidelines on withdrawing and withholding therapy have been produced and some common themes emerge: concerns to avoid euthanasia, potential for benefit, patient consent (shared decision‐making), team consensus/decision‐making, and the provision of appropriate palliative care and resource implications. Each of these is considered in turn, although the word limit for this paper does not permit detailed exposition.