Through searching and evaluating the evidence on advanced prostate cancer, we found that different types of androgen deprivation had similar effect, and immediate androgen deprivation had survival benefit. For the patient with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, therapies including mitoxantrone, prednisone, docetaxel and surmine were more effective. Strontium-89 provided more effective pain relief than external beam radiation. And bisphophonate had no effect. Antiandrogen withdrawal suggested prostate specific antigen would decline, but the clinical outcome wasn’t reported.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with hepatitis C after kidney transplantation with combination of interferon-α and ribavirin. Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’ s condition and using the principle of PICO, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2009), PubMed (1995 to March 2009), and CHKD (1995 to 2008.12). Results Eighteen studies were identified including 17 in English (5 case reports, 11 cohort studies, and 1 meta–analysis) and 1 in Chinese. According to the current evidence as well as the patient’ s clinical condition and preference, PEG-IFNα-2b 50 µg /week plus ribavirin 600 mg/day was given to the patient for 6 months. Conclusion Evidence-based approaches help us to prepare the anti-viral therapy plan and will improve the assessment of the efficacy and safety in kidney transplantation.
Objective To make an individualized therapeutic regimen for a patient with stage III relapsed ovarian cancer guided by evidence-based medicine.Methods According to the clinical problems this patient showed and the PICO (patient, intervention, comparison and outcome) principle, the best clinical evidence associated with relapsed ovarian cancer was retrieved and evaluated. Results The current evidence showed that the relapsed ovarian cancer with platinum resistance tended to be treated by pharmacotherapy. Consequently, on the basis of combining the recommended guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews or meta-analyses on RCTs, clinical experience from doctors and willingness of patient, the regimen of Irinotecan plus Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin for interventional chemotherapy was recommended for this patient. After three courses of the treatment, the disease got some relieved; the medical team would like to keep conducting the same regimen for another six to eight courses, and the follow-up visit was undergoing. Conclusion For patients with relapsed ovarian cancer with platinum resistance, an individualized therapeutic regimen under the guidance of evidence-based methods can not only improve the therapeutic efficacy but also guide both doctors and patients to take the indeterminate risk of medicine.
Objective To summarize the available clinical evidence on the treatment of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Methods Based on the basic methods and principles of evidence-based medicine, we searched and evaluated the NPDR-related evidence from the Cochrane Library(Issue 3,2007), PubMed (1966 to June 2007) and CBM(1979 to June 2007) Results We finally identified 1 systematic review and 20 randomized controlled trials. Clinical evidence showed that critical glycemic control and blood pressure control were essential in the treatment of NPDR, which might delay the progression of retinopathy. The effectiveness of other therapeutic measures needed to be further investigated. Conclusion NPDR is the early stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Relevant systematic reviews and high-quality randomized controlled trials have confirmed the effectiveness of critical control of blood glucose and blood pressure for NPDR. The effectiveness of other therapeutic measures needs to be confirmed by systematic reviews of high quality and rigorously designed randomized, multi-center and large-scale trials.
Objective To identify an evidence-based treatment for a patient with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Methods We first put forward clinical problems about how to prevent complications and how to treat ruptured aneurysm of aSAH, then searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2006), Ovid ACP Journal Club (1991 to 2006), Ovid MEDLINE (1966 to 2006), NGC (1998 to 2006) and CBM (1978 to 2006) to identify systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and treatment guidelines. Results Eleven studies and five guidelines were included. Current evidence indicated that nimodipine was effective for prophylaxis of poor outcome after vasospasm, while tirilazad was not effective in female patients with good grades. The effectiveness of other treatments to prevent complications was not clear. Evidence on the use of antifibrinolytics for the prevention of re-bleeding was inconsistent. If a ruptured aneurysm was considered suitable for both surgical clipping and endovascular coiling, coiling was associated with a better outcome. According to the available evidence and guidelines, considering the patient’s conditions and preferences, nimodipine and antifibrinolytics were administered to prevent complications and her aneurysm was treated by early endovascular embolization. She did not experience vasospasm or re-bleeding during her hospital stay. Short-term follow-up showed a good outcome. Long-term prognostic benefits after endovascular therapy need to be confirmed by prolonged follow-up. Conclusions Therapies based on the best clinical evidence and guidelines should be given to prevent complications and improve outcome for patients after an aSAH.
Objective To make individualized evidence-based treatment for patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods Based on the clinical questions we raised, evidence was collected and critically assessed. Patients’ preferences was also taken into consideration in the decision-making treatment. Results 157 studies were retrieved and finally 15 randomized controlled trials, 14 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and 1 clinical guidelines were considered eligible. The evidence indicated that the first step in management of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy should aim for stable and optimal glycemic control; there was no statistically significant difference between aldose reductase inhibitors and placebo in the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy, the same to nerve growth factor; alpha-lipoic acid is superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy; 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants might alleviate the pain in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy; vitamin B and capsaicin cream are is effective and safe in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. The individualized treatment plans were developed based on the available evidence. After 3 month of treatment, the blood sugar returned to normal and symptoms were alleviated. Conclusion The treatment efficacy in diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been improved by determining an individulized treatment plan according to evidence-based methods.
Objective To make an individualized administration scheme via evidence-based medicine methods, namely adding heparin into the total nutrient admixture (TNA) solution, so as to help a neonate to prevent the occlusion of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Methods After carefully assessing the condition of neonate, this clinical issue was put forward in accordance with the PICO principles. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on neonates’ PICC occlusion were collected from The Cochrane Library, CCTR, DARE, NGC, MEDLINE (Ovid) and CBM from inception to 2011. The clinical intervention scheme was finally made after the assessment of the retrieved evidence and neonate’s physiological condition. Results A total of 4 RCTs and 1 systematic review related to the issues were identified. The following scheme was finally made for the neonate through the assessment of the retrieved evidence and combination of intentions of the patient’s family members: heparin (0.5 U/mL) was added into TNA to prevent PICC occlusion. During the application, blood routine test and blood coagulation were monitored, and the catheter opening time and extubation reason were recorded. Through the above treatment, the neonate successfully completed the treatment before extubation. The time of both PICC detaining and opening was 20 days in total, and there were no PICC occlusion, no catheter thrombosis, and no catheter related bloodstream infection. Moreover, no observation showed thrombopenia and aggravated coagulation disorders resulted from heparin. Conclusion The evidence-based medicine method is an effective way to make reasonable heparin scheme for neonate, so as to prevent PICC occlusion, reduce catheter thrombosis, decrease risks of catheter related blood circulation infection, assure successful completion of treatment, and guarantee the safety of patients.
Cirrhosis is an end stage of condition of various liver diseases with specific clinic and pathologic process. The incidence is high and it seriously affects the quality of life for patients. In order to obtain the best prevention and treatment for end-stage cirrhosis, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2004), SUMsearch (1981~2004) and MEDLINE (1981~2004), and identified 15 systematic reviews and 65 randomized controlled trials. We critically assessed the quality of studies. The results showed the principal treatment of cirrhosis was to deal with complications, such as the prevention and treatment of variceal bleeding, the treatment of ascites etc.
Objective To identify evidence-based treatment choices for a patient with increased intracranial pressure after acute traumatic brain injury. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2006), MEDLNE (1981 to August 2006) and CBMdisc (1978 to August 2006) to identity systematic reviews (SRs), randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs) and prospective cohort studies involving the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacotherapy for increased intracranial pressure after acute traumatic brain injury. Results We found 2 SRs and 8 RCTs on pharmacotherapy, and 6 SRs and 2 RCTs on non-pharmacotherapy. Conventional-dose mannitol was no better than hypertonic saline, but was better than other intracranial pressure lowering agents. High-dose mannitol can reduce mortality and the incidence of severe disability compared with conventional-dose mannitol. There were no studies comparing high-dose mannitol and hypertonic saline. Non-pharmacotherapy was not recommended for routine use due to the lack of good quality evidence. Conclusion For patients with increased intracranial pressure after acute traumatic brain injury, mannitol is effective in reducing the mortality and the incidence of severe disability. However, more large-scale RCTs are required to compare high-dose mannitol versus other drugs. Non-pharmacotherapy is not recommended as an adjunct therapy at present.
Little has been reported about deep venous thrombosis (DVT) that occurs after the implantation of the cardiac pacemaker. DVT affects the prognosis and quality of life of patients severely, or even causes fatal pulmonary embolism. Research on its risk factors, therapeutic strategy and secondary prevention does not coincide with one another. We have searched the systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials of DVT through PubMed, Cochrane Library and Guideline. Evidence has showed that previous DVT, over 40 years of age, and surgical history are the major risk factors. Initial treatment of DVT with heparin and maintenance therapy with oral anticoagulant are indispensable and effective, and could improve the prognosis of patients. If patients with previous DVT are at increased risk in the future, heparin and / or oral anticoagulant application may be used for prophylaxis.