Objectives The aim of the review was to assess the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness, in the absence of other identifiable causes, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made. This was assessed by evaluation of prospective randomised controlled studies that were identified by a systematic review of the literature. Both medical and surgical treatments were evaluated. Method The Cochrane ENT Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), EMBASE (1974 to 2005) and conference proceedings were searched with prespecified terms. The date of the last search was September 2005.Randomised controlled trials recruiting patients with hoarseness in the absence of other identifiable causes, such as malignancy, cord palsy or nodules, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux has been made. Data collection and analysis Three reviewers examined the search results and identified studies before deciding which would be included in the review. Results 302 potential studies were identified by the search strategy. No trials were identified which met our inclusion criteria. Six randomised controlled trials were identified in which some, but not all patients presented with hoarseness, and were treated with proton pump inhibition. As we could not determine with certainty whether all these patients had hoarseness among the other laryngeal symptoms, these were excluded. However, these studies suggest a significant placebo response, which is comparable to the benefit derived from anti-reflux therapy in some studies. As no trials met our criteria, we are unable to reach any firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of anti-reflux treatment for hoarseness. Conclusions There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-reflux therapy for patients with hoarseness which may be due to laryngopharyngeal and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intravertebral analgesia for external cephalic version. Methods We electronically searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), PubMed (1980 to 2009), Ovid MEDLINE (1950 to 2009), Ovid EBM Database (1991 to 2009), EMbase (1980 to 2009), CBM (1978 to 2009) and CNKI (1979 to 2009) to collect literature about intravertebral analgesia for external cephalic version. We screened randomized controlled trials (RCTs) according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and evaluated the quality of the included studies, and then performed meta-analyses by using RevMan 5.0.13 software. Results Seven RCTs involving 620 women met the inclusion criteria. Five trials were of relatively high quality, and 1 of low quality and 2 not clear. The result of meta-analyses showed that intravertebral analgesia was superior in external cephalic version with a RR 1.53 and 95%CI 1.24 to 1.88. Conclusion Intravertebral analgesia can increase the successful rate of external cephalic version in the treatment of breech presentation compared with intravenous medicine for systematic use or no analgesia.
Objective To assess the efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） in the treatment of osteoarthritis （OA）. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scientific Citation Index, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, CBMdisc and abstracts from conference were searched from 1966 to March 30, 2005. Randomized controlled trials （R.CT） comparing topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug （NSAIDs） with placebo or oral NSAIDs in OA were induded. Effect size （ES） was calculated for pain, function and stiffness. Relative risk （RR） was calculated for dichotomous data such as clinical response rate and adverse effect rate. Number needed to treat to obtain the clinical response was estimated. The quality of trials was assessed and sensitivity analyses were undertaken. Results Topical NSAIDs were superior to placebo in relieving pain due to osteoarthritis only in the first 2 weeks of treatment; ES （95% CI） were 0.41 （0. 16 to 0.66） and 0.40 （0.15 to 0.65） at week 1 and 2 respectively. However, the effects were short-lived and no benefit was observed over placebo at the third and fourth week. A similar pattern was observed with function, stiflhess and clinical response RR and number needed to treat. Topical NSAIDs were inferior to oral NSAIDs at week 1, and associated with more local side effects such as rash, itch or burning （RR 5.29, 95% CI 1.14 to 24. 51 ）. Conclusions Only very shortterm （less than 4 weeks） RCTs have assessed topical NSAID efficacy in OA ; after 2 weeks no efficacy above placebo has been obsevrved. There are no trial data to support the long-term use of topical NSAIDs in osteoarthritis.
Objective To assess the effect of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) on decayed deciduous and permanent teeth in children. Methods Such databases as CENTRAL of The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, and VIP were searched, and the China clinical trial register center were also searched. The search was conducted by the end of April, 2009 to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ART vs. conventional restorative treatment (CRT) for childhood caries. The data extraction was performed by two reviewers independently. The quality of the included studies was critically assessed and the data analyses were performed by the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0.2 software. Results A total of seven randomized controlled trials were included. Only was the descriptive analysis conducted because of the difference of restorative materials used in each study, the types of target teeth, the measure indexes, and the year limit of follow up, which showed that, most of the included studies suggested that the survival rate of restorative materials in all types of caries hole was similar between the ART group and the CRT group; only a few studies suggested that the CRT group was superior to the ART group; the children in the ART group felt more comfortable than those in the CRT group during the treatment procedure; two studies compared the working time and got an opposite results. Conclusion Because of the higher clinical heterogeneity of the include studies, the merger analysis fails to be conducted, so it is impossible to get a precise conclusion about the effect of treating childhood caries with ART vs. CRT, and more RCTs with high quality are needed for confirmation.
Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of dl-3-butylphthalide for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods We collected randomized controlled trials, which compared dl-3-butylphthalide agents with placebo or open control in patients with acute ischaemic stroke, by searching the electronic bibliographic databases, scanning references listed in articles and handsearching journals. Meta-analysis was conducted based on the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Twenty-one trials involving 2 123 patients were included, of which 2 were placebo-controlled and 19 were open-label controlled. Meta-analysis of 10 trials (n=958), in which neurological deficits were assessed by CSS, suggested that there were significant differences favoring butylphthalide in the mean change of neurological deficits’ score during the treatment period [MD=2.30, 95%CI (1.57, 3.03)]. Meta-analysis of 6 trials (n=590), in which neurological deficits were assessed by NIHSS, also favored butylphthalide [MD=2.06, 95%CI (0.65, 3.46)]. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 13 trials. Gastrointestinal discomfort (1.7%~8%) and abnormal liver function including abnormal ALT (1.4%~17.5%) and abnormal AST (1.9%~8.82%) were the two most common AEs. However, no severe adverse events (SAEs) were reported. Numbers of dead and dependent patients at the end of followup (at least three months) were not reported in the 21 included trials. Quality of life was not assessed in any of the trials. Conclusion Dl-3-butylphthalide can improve the neurological function after acute ischemic stroke and appears to be safe. However, further study is needed to confirm its effects for lowering rates of death and dependency.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of new anti-epileptic drugs in the treatment of epilepsy. MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of new anti-epileptic drugs rufinamide, zonisamide, and perampanel in the treatment of epilepsy from January 2006 to May 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 16.0 software. ResultsA total of 16 RCTs involving 4 382 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the effective rate (RR=1.66, 95%CI 1.45 to 1.89, P<0.000 01) and seizure-free rate (RR=2.82, 95%CI 2.01 to 3.96, P<0.000 01) in new anti-epileptic drugs group were higher than those in the control group, while it did not increase the serious adverse events (RR=0.95, 95%CI 0.72 to 1.27, P=0.75). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that new anti-epileptic drugs have trends of better effectiveness, and their safety is satisfactory. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of using tamoxifen sequential with the third generation aromatase inhibitors versus the third generation aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen alone for postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients.MethodsThe Cochrane Library (Issue 10, 2016), PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, and WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on using tamoxifen sequential with the third generation aromatase inhibitors versus the third generation aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen alone for postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients from inception to October, 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 22 005 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the sequential therapy group was superior to the tamoxifen monotherapy group on overall survival (HR=0.71, 95%CI 0.52 to 0.98, P=0.04) and recurrence-free survival (HR=0.60, 95%CI 0.46 to 0.79, P=0.000 3). However, no significant difference was found in overall survival and disease free survival between the sequential therapy group and the aromatase inhibitors monotherapy group. As to adverse events, compared with the tamoxifen monotherapy group, the sequential therapy group could reduce the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia (OR=0.22, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.45, P<0.000 01), death (OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.66 to 0.84, P<0.000 01) and metastasis (OR=0.79, 95%CI 0.68 to 0.91, P=0.001); however, the incidence of bone fracture was higher in sequential therapy group compared with intamoxifen monotherapy group (OR=1.31, 95%CI 1.13 to 1.51, P=0.000 3).ConclusionThe sequential therapy using tamoxifen and the third generation of aromatase inhibitors is better than tamoxifen monotherapy for postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. However, there is no significant difference in survival benefit between the sequential therapy and aromatase inhibitors monotherapy.
Objectives To assess the clinical effectiveness of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) versus laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for the correction of myopia. Methods Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2010), CNKI, VIP, and WangFang Data from January, 1990 to October, 2010. The RCTs were included in accordance with the Cochrane review’s methodology, the valid data were extracted, the quality was evaluated, and then the RevMan 5.0 software was used for statistical analyses. Results Seven RCTs involving 1 134 eyes with myopia were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the efficacy (OR=1.23, 95%CI 0.73 to 2.07), accuracy (OR=1.73, 95%CI 0.74 to 2.53) and safety (OR=1.10, 95%CI 0.22 to 5.59) outcomes between LASIK and LASEK were comparable. Compared with LASIK, LASEK was higher in the incidence rate of postoperative eye pain (RR=0.13, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.22). Conclusion LASIK and LASEK have the same effectiveness for myopia, but LASEK induces more postoperative eye pains. A large number of strictly-designed multi-centred RCTs are required for further verifying this result because of the low quality and instable results of the included studies．
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with etoposide versus other platinum combined with etoposide in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). MethodsWe searched PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2013), MEDLINE (Ovid), CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with etoposide (the cisplatin group) versus other platinum combined with etoposide (the control group) for SCLC. The search was up to August 2013. Two reviewers screened literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. And then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 6 RCTs involving 684 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in disease control rate (DCR) (RR=1.03, 95%CI 0.91 to 1.17, P=0.63), overall response rate (ORR) (RR=1.04, 95%CI 0.97 to 1.11, P=0.33), occurrence of leukocytopenia (RR=0.97, 95%CI 0.81 to 1.17, P=0.77), decreased hemoglobin (RR=0.89, 95%CI 0.61 to 1.31, P=0.56) between the cisplatin group and the control group. Occurrence of thrombocytopenia was lower (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.63, P<0.000 01) while occurrence of nausea and vomiting was higher (RR=1.80, 95%CI 1.40 to 2.31, P<0.000 01) in the cisplatin group. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the clinical efficacy of cisplatin combined with etoposide for SCLC is equal to other platinum combined with etoposide, but it has a certain advantage in decreasing the aggregative rate of platelets, while the gastrointesnial reaction patients should avoid using cisplatin combined with etoposide.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of Chinese medicine injection (CMI) for treating heart failure (HF).MethodsCNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase databases were electronically searched from inception to January 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on CMI for treating HF. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.2 software and Stata 16.0 software.ResultsA total of 47 studies were included involving 4 902 patients and 5 types of CMIs, including Shenmai, Shenfu, Yiqi Fumai (lyophilized), Shengmai, and Danhong injections. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of combined CMIs was superior to conventional Western medicine alone. For the main efficacy, Shenmai, Shengmai, and Shenfu injections had significant advantages in improving the total clinical effectiveness. Shengmai, Shenmai, and Yiqi Fumai (lyophilized) injections were significantly more effective for reducing NT pro-BNP levels than other injections. Shenfu and Shengmai injections were significantly more effective for reducing BNP levels than other injections. Shenmai, Danhong and Shengmai injections were significantly more effective for improving the left ventricular ejection fraction than the other injections. These CMIs showed similar advantages for secondary efficacy indicators as for main efficacy indicators.ConclusionsThe combined 5 types of CMIs for treating HF can improve the clinical efficacy when compared with conventional Western medicine treatment. Shenmai injection, Yiqi Fumai injection (lyophilized), and Shengmai injection, which is part of Sheng Mai San, have clear advantages in terms of the overall curative effect or on individual indices.