Objective To review the clinical evidence of Pingxiao Capsule for tumor adjuvant treatment so as to provide some decision-making references for clinical practice. Methods We electronically searched CBM, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data and MEDLINE (from inception to Feb, 2013) to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) about Pingxiao Capsule for tumor adjuvant treatment. Then, the included studies were summarized and evaluated according to the classification of diseases. Results 1 097 potential relevant articles were searched. We included 41 RCTs and 15 non-RCTs. The results showed that Pingxiao Capsule used as an adjuvant therapy in treating tumor improved the efficacy and reduced the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, and also improved the quality of survival. Conclusion Current evidence showed that the effectiveness and safety of Pingxiao Capsule combined with radiation or chemotherapy in the tumor treatment is superior to radiation monotherapy or chemotherapy monotherapy. But due to the limited quality of the included studies, the results needed to be further verified by high-quality studies.
Objective To provide evidence of the role of helicobacter pylori eradication in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Methods We searched VIP, CBMdisc, MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library for systematic reviews, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials and clinical guidelines involving helicobacter pylori and functional dyspepsia, so as to provide the best evidence for clinical practice. Results We included two systematic reviews, one meta-analysis and eleven randomized controlled trials. The evidence identified showed that helicobacter pylori infection was more prevalent in functional dyspepsia than in asymptomatic patients, but the effect of H pylori infection in the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia remained controversial. H pylori eradication therapy had a relatively weak effect in H pylori positive functional dyspepsia. An economic model suggested that this modest benefit may still be cost-effective, but more studies are needed to assess this. Conclusion According to the current evidence, it can be concluded that helicobacter pylori eradication for the treatment of functional dyspepsia should be individualized.
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulants in ischaemic stroke primary or secondary prevention and treatment, we searched The Cochrane Library and MEDLINE to find high quality evidence and summarized the available evidence. The results showed that routine immediate anticoagulant therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke should not be recommended because it increased the risk of hemorrhage with ineffective reduction to the risk of death or disability. For the high risk group with cardiogenic embolism, anticoagulant therapy could safely and effectively reduce the incidence of stroke or other vascular events. However, for non-cardiogenic embolism group, anticoagulant therapy was hard to balance the benefits and harms.
Objective To define an evidence-based conclusion concerning ultrasound screening for fetal genital system malformations during pregnancy. Methods In order to assess whether or not ultrasound screening for fetal genital system malformations is effective and feasible, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009), MEDLINE (1981 to 2009), ACP Journal Club (1991 to 2008), and BMJ Clinical Evidence (1999 to 2008) for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and controlled clinical trials. Results Five cohort studies and three crosssectional studies were retrieved. The results showed ultrasound screening detected fetal sex determination by the contour of the rump and the angle of the genital tubercle to a horizontal line through the lumbosacral skin surface in the first trimester. Scrotal size and penile length increases with gestational age for male fetuses, and by 32 weeks, bilateral testicular descent was observed in most cases. Ultrasonographic scans, fetal genetic studies, and hormonal assays of amniotic fluid can diagnosis certain diseases, fetal sex differentiation disorders, fetal endocrinal disorders, and chromosome abnormality. Conclusion The findings of this study should reassure physicians and parents alike that ultrasound screening is an reliable option for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal genital system malformations, but more randomized controlled trials are needed to further supply relevant evidence.
Objective To investigate an evaluation method of medical literature applicability to clinical work， and provide a convenient way for physicians to search for the best evidence. Methods Delphi method was used to choose appropriate evaluating indexes， analytic hierarchy process was performed to determine the weighing of each index， and the formula to calculate medical literature applicability was formed. The practicability of this formula was evaluated by consistency checking between the formula’s results and experts’ opinions on literature applicability. Results Five evaluating indexes were determined， including literature’s publishing year （X1）， whether the target questions were covered （X2）, sample size （X3）， trial category （X4）， and journal level （X5）. The formula to calculate medical literature applicability was Y=3.93 X1＋11.78 X2＋14.83 X3＋44.53 X4＋24.93 X5. The result of consistency checking showed that the formula’s results were highly consistent with experts’ opinions （Kappa=0.75， P＜0.001）. Conclusion The applicability formula is a valuable tool to evaluate medical literature applicability.
Objective To find the most effective treatment for a patient with difficult selective biliary cannulation (DSBC) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) by EBM practice. Methods Evidence was retrieved from The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2010), ACP online, NGC (1998 to June 2010), PubMed (1950 to June 2010), and CBM (1994 to June 2010). The collected evidence was then graded. Results After preliminary research, we identified 18 relevant articles. The evidence showed that pre-cutting technique could increase cannulation success rates in DSBC and was safe, effective, and time-saving for an experienced endoscopist. Pancreatic duct occupation was easier to perform than pre-cutting technique and could also increase selective cannulation success rates in DSBC. According to the evidence, together with endoscopist’s experience and the preference of the patient and his family, needle-knife precut papillotomy was performed. Successful selective biliary cannulation was accomplished after pre-cutting. Conclusion The current evidence suggests that pre-cutting technique and pancreatic duct occupation could increase selective cannulation success rates in DSBC. Patients’ condition and endoscopist’s experience should be considered properly before the operation.
Objective To give an individualized treatment to a young woman with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods According to the basic principle and methods of evidence-base medicine, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2009), MEDLINE (PubMed, January 1950 to May 2009), ACP Journal Club (OVID, January 1991 to May 2007) for systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to acquire the best clinical evidence on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Results A total of 11 systematic reviews and 1 RCT were identified. A reasonable treatment plan was made through combining the patient’s will with her family members’. Conclusion The treatment effect on primary dysmenorrhea of the young woman is improved by an individualized treatment plan based on an evidence-based method.
Objective To collect evidence of treatment for the patients with ocular myasthenia gravis. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2010), PubMed (1966 to April, 2010), CNKI (1979 to April, 2010) and VIP (1989 to April 2010) to identify systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and prospective avaicohort studies about efficacy and safety of treatment for ocular myasthenia gravis. Results We identified 2 guidelines, 5 systematic reviews and 4 observational studies on inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, immunosuppressive agents, intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroids, and thymectomy for ocular myasthenia gravis. The first choice for ocular myasthenia gravis was inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. When the symptom could not be remitted, the corticosteroids should be considered. Immunosuppressive agents might be added if the effect of corticosteroids was not good. Plasma exchange was not recommended. Thymectomy should be performed if the patients suffered from thymoma. Conclusion The best clinical evidence can be available by the evidence-based method.
Until Issue 2 in 2008, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews had included 23 systematic reviews concerning colorectal tumors by the colorectal cancer group. These reviews involved prevention, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and follow-up. The preventive ability of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, accuracy of chromoscopy, shortterm outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resection and outcomes of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision were confirmed. Meanwhile, the effect of dietary fibre in prevention, mechanical preoperative preparation, and prophylactic anastomotic drainage was questioned. Because of the low quality of trials, no firm conclusions were revealed in some reviews, such as traditional Chinese medicine in chemotherapy. Through the study of Cochrane systematic reviews, medical practitioners and researchers can obtain high-quality evidence, and identify future research direction in the field of colorectal cancer.
Perineal care is a classic topic for obstetrics. After thousands of years of practice, we have accumulated some experience and meanwhile, we are also taking some attempts. The effectiveness and reliability of these methods need evaluation. Nowadays, the best evidence comes from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and systematic reviews (SR). We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2007), MEDLINE (Jan. 1980 to May 2007) databases and CBM-disc (Jan. 1980 to May 2007) to obtain current best evidence for perineal care.