ObjectiveTo explore the association between wearing dentures and the risk of head and neck cancer using meta-analysis. MethodsPubMed, EMbase, CNKI, and WanFang Data were searched up to April 30th, 2014, for cohort studies and case-control studies about the association between wearing dentures and the risk of head and neck cancer. Literature screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction and methodological quality assessment of included studies were completed by two reviewers independently. Then meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v 2.2 software. ResultsEight case-control studies in 7 reports were finally included. The results of meta-analysis revealed that, low-degree association existed between wearing dentures and the risk of head and neck cancer (OR=1.08, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.16); and the results of further subgroup analysis (according to gender, cancer lesions, confounders adjustment, and publication years) also showed no significant difference. ConclusionWearing dentures is not significantly associated with the risk of head and neck cancer (no difference regarding gender or cancer lesions). Due to limitations of this meta-analysis, high-quality studies with large sample size are needed to further verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality, status of clinical practice guidelines on stomatology in China and discuss existing problems, so as to provide references for developing evidence-based guidelines. MethodsComprehensive search was conducted up to January 2014 for relevant clinical practice guidelines on stomatology, and the retrieval date was January 30th, 2014. After data extraction from eligibility guidelines, the quality was evaluated using the AGREE Ⅱ instrument and then descriptive analysis was performed. ResultsFinally a total of 18 guidelines were included, of which, 13 were for oral and maxillofacial surgery diseases. Based on the AGREE Ⅱ instrument, the average scores on the six domains were as follows:71.1% for scope and purpose, 40.1% for stakeholder involvement, 28.8% for rigor of development, 71.5% for clarity of presentation, 42.6% for applicability, and 8.6% for editorial independence. ConclusionThe overall quality of clinical practice guidelines on stomatology in China is relatively poor, only a few diseases are concerned, and no evidence-based guideline has been developed so far. However, considered the limitations of this study, the results of this study is only for a reference.
ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge related to evidence-based medicine (EBM) in the medical students of Hubei University of Medicine using a cross-sectional survey approach. MethodsWe conducted an investigation on 600 medical students (extracted by stratified random sampling) from different majors and different grades who were at school using a pre-designed questionnaire from May 10th to May 12th, 2013. The data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2007. ResultsA total of 545 valid questionnaires were recovered with an effective recovery rate of 90.8%. The results showed that 58.5% of the participants heard of EBM for the first time or once heard of it but knew nothing; 38.2% had learnt some knowledge about EBM. However, only 3.3% were familiar with it; all the participants suggested EBM teaching should be performed. ConclusionThe knowledge related to EBM in the medical students of Hubei University of Medicine is low. However, their study attitude towards EBM is pretty good. The level of EBM teaching needs to be improved.