Journal of critical care
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy of information interventions in reducing transfer anxiety from a critical care setting to a general ward: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Our aim was to undertake a comprehensive systematic review on the efficacy of information interventions on reducing anxiety in patients and family members on transfer from a critical care setting to a general ward. ⋯ Providing information to understand a future ward environment can significantly reduce patients' and family members' transfer anxiety from the critical care setting when compared with standard care.
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Journal of critical care · Aug 2012
Review Meta AnalysisPrognostic value of extravascular lung water index in critically ill patients: a systematic review of the literature.
The prognostic value of extravascular lung water (EVLW) has been widely investigated; however, a wide range of its predictive accuracy has been reported. ⋯ The EVLWI appears to be a good predictor of mortality in critically ill patients.
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Journal of critical care · Dec 2010
Review Meta AnalysisThe effect of statins on mortality from severe infections and sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effect of statins on mortality in patients with infection and/or sepsis. ⋯ This meta-analysis demonstrated a protective effect for statins in patients with sepsis and/or other infections compared to placebo for various infection-related outcomes. However, our results are limited by the cohort design of the selected studies and the degree of heterogeneity among them, and as a result, further randomized trials are needed to validate the use of statins for sepsis and/or other infections.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2010
Review Meta AnalysisCortisol levels and adrenal response in severe community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review of the literature.
Our aim was to review the literature on the prevalence and impact of critical-illness related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) on the outcomes of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ⋯ A significant proportion of patients with severe CAP fulfilled criteria for CIRCI. However, CIRCI does not seem to affect the outcomes. Noteworthy, the presence of elevated cortisol levels is associated with increased mortality and may be useful as a prognostic marker in patients with severe CAP.
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Journal of critical care · Sep 2010
Review Meta AnalysisCorticosteroid therapy for acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and severe pneumonia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Randomized trials investigating the effect of corticosteroids in the treatment of acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and severe pneumonia have had mixed results. We sought to determine whether systemic corticosteroids reduce hospital mortality from these illnesses. ⋯ Low-dose corticosteroids administered within 14 days of disease onset may reduce all-cause mortality in patients with acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and severe pneumonia. However, the overall quality of the evidence precludes definitive conclusions regarding the use of corticosteroids in this population.