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.
Objective To determine the effectiveness and safety of pneumatic balloon dilatation in patients with achalasia. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE or PUBMED (1978-2007), Embase (1978-2007), OVID Database (1978-2007), Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBMDisc, 1978-2007), CNKI (1979-2007), Chinese VIP Database (1989-2007) and Wanfang Database (1978-2007). We also checked the reference lists of retrieved articles and relevant proceedings. We used the methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration to conduct this systematic review. Results Twenty four trials involving 1045 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that the short-term total effective rate was much higher with pneumatic dilatation than intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection (P=0.0007). The long-term total effective rate was higher with pneumatic dilatation compared to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection (P=0.005). Intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection was superior to pneumatic dilatation in terms of clinical relapse rate (Plt;0.0001). Our analyses of complications and adverse effects found that pneumatic dilatation was superior to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection (P=0.0008), and endoscopic sphincterotomy was superior to balloon dilatation (P=0.0006). Conclusions The limited current evidence shows that: pneumatic dilatation is safe and effective for the short- or long-term treatment of achalasia.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of intensive versus routine education on diabetes mellitus for preventing diabetic foot ulcer. Methods We electronically searched CENTRAL (Issue 1, 2013), PubMed (1978-2013), EMbase (1978-2013), VIP (1989-2013) and WanFang Data (1980-2013), hand-searched correlated proceedings and retrieved the references of included studies, for the randomized controlled trials on intensive versus routine education on diabetes mellitus for preventing diabetic foot ulcer all over the world. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. Results Twelve trials involving 1 841 patients were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer in the intensive education group was lower than the routine group, with a significant difference (RR=0.51, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.84, P=0.008); b) two groups were alike in the amputation rate, with no significant difference (OR=0.54, 95%CI 0.17 to 1.67, P=0.28); and c) the score of knowledge on diabetes mellitus was higher in the intensive education group than in the routine education group, with a significant difference (MD=7.32, 95%CI 3.57 to 11.06, P=0.000 1). Conclusion Current evidence shows that: compared with routine education, intensive education could reduce the incidence of diabetic foot ulcer effectively. However, the above conclusion should be verified by conducting more high quality studies.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of biphasic insulin aspart 30 given three times a day in the management of type 2 diabetes. Methods Such databases as CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PubMed and CNKI were searched on computer; additionally, the relevant conference proceedings from associations like American Diabetes Association, and the references of all selected literatures were also hand-searched. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on biphasic insulin aspart 30 given three times a day in treating type 2 diabetes were screened according to inclusive and exclusive criteria, without concerning the limitation of languages and blind methods. After data extraction and quality evaluation, Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 4.2 software. Results Ten trials involving 1 415 patients were included. The sub-group analysis showed that compared with the group of given biphasic insulin aspart 30 twice a day (the bid group), the group of given biphasic insulin aspart 30 three times a day (the tid group) was superior in decreasing HbAlc (Plt;0.000 01). Compared with the group of thrice preprandial injection of Novolin R plus one injection of Novolin N at bedtime (the qid group), Meta-analysis showed that, a) As to the average fasting glucose levels: the tid group was not superior to the qid group (P=0.65); b) As to the average 2-hour postprandial glucose levels: the tid group was superior to the qid group (P=0.0003); c) As to the therapeutic time: the tid group was not superior to the qid group (P=0.38); d) As to the insulin doses: the tid group was superior to the qid group (P=0.000 1); e) As to the insulin costs: the tid group was inferior to the qid group (P=0.02); and e) As to the incidence of hypoglycaemia: the tid group was superior to the qid group (P=0.000 2). Compared with the oral antidiabetic drugs, the results of Meta-analyses showed: the tid group was superior in decreasing HbAlc (P=0.001). Conclusion The limited current evidence shows that biphasic insulin aspart 30 given three times a day, as a simple insulin intensified scheme, is safe and effective for type 2 diabetes, and is worth recommending in clinic. However, all these findings should be further confirmed with more large sample and well-designed RCTs.
Objective To determine the effectiveness and safety of autologous platelet-rich gel in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. Methods We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL), MEDLINE or PubMed, EMbase, OVID Database, Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBMDisc), CNKI, Chinese VIP Database and WANFANG Database. We also handsearched the bibliographies of retrieved articles and correlated proceedings. The systematic review was conducted using the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Four trials involving 216 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed (1) Diabetic foot ulcer healing rate: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (Plt;0.000 01); (2) Diabetic foot ulcer reduction rate: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (P=0.000 3); (3) Diabetic foot ulcer healing time: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (Plt;0.000 01); (4) Complications: No patient in these trials had complications. Conclusions The limited current evidence shows that autologous platelet-rich gel is safe and effective in the short-term treatment for diabetic foot ulcer.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of probiotic agents for ulcerative colitis. Methods We searched electronically the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE (1978 to 2007), EMBASE (1978 to 2007), OVID Database (1978 to 2007), Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBM Disc) (1978 to 2007), CNKI (1979 to 2007), Chinese VIP Database (1989 to 2007) and Wanfang Database (1978 to 2007). We also checked the reference lists of retrieved articles and hand-searched 4 kinds of important journals to identify randomized controlled trials of probiotic agents for ulcerative colitis. Meta-analyses were conducted with The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 software. Results Thirteen trials involving 1146 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that probiotic agents were not superior to aminosalicylates for the clinical remission rate (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.66; P=0.82); but the combination of probiotic agents and aminosalicylates were superior to aminosalicylates alone (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.57 to 4.61; P=0.0003). In terms of the clinical relapse, the rate for probiotic agents was superior to that for placebo (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.15; Plt;0.0001); but not superior to aminosalicylates (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.38; P=0.79). The combination of probiotic agents and aminosalicylates was not superior to aminosalicylates alone (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.32; P=0.19). As for the incidence of adverse effects, probiotic agents were not superior to aminosalicylates (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.70; P=0.65); and the combination of probiotic agents and aminosalicylates was not superior to aminosalicylates alone (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.54; P=0.15). Conclusion Probiotic agents are not superior to aminosalicylates based on the evidence in this review, but the combination of probiotic agents and aminosalicylates is superior to aminosalicylates alone in maintaining remission. Probiotic agents are superior to placebo but not superior to aminosalicylates, and the combination of probiotic agents and aminosalicylates is not superior to aminosalicylates alone in preventing relapse. Probiotic agents have good tolerability. However, all these findings should be interpreted with caution and more clinical trials are needed.