Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewSingle dose paracetamol (acetaminophen), with and without codeine, for postoperative pain.
Patient surveys have shown that postoperative pain is often not managed well, and there is a need to assess the efficacy and safety of commonly used analgesics as newer treatments become available. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an important non-opiate analgesic, commonly prescribed, as well as being available for retail sale. This review seeks to examine the efficacy of paracetamol alone and in combination with codeine, and also considers adverse effects. ⋯ Paracetamol is an effective analgesic with a low incidence of adverse effects. The addition of codeine 60 mg to paracetamol produces additional pain relief even in single oral doses, but may be accompanied by an increase in drowsiness and dizziness.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewAnalgesia and non-aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteoarthritis of the hip.
To review all randomized trials of analgesics and anti-inflammatory therapy in osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. To determine which non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is the most effective, and which NSAID is the most toxic. ⋯ NSAID trials in patients with OA of the hip appear to be weakened by the lack of standardization of case definition of OA, and also by the lack of standardization of outcome assessments. No clear recommendations for the choice of specific NSAID therapy in hip OA can be offered at this time based on this analysis.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
Review Meta AnalysisSelf-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma.
A key component of many asthma management guidelines is the recommendation for patient education and regular medical review. A number of controlled trials have been conducted to measure the effectiveness of asthma education programmes. These programmes improve patient knowledge, but their impact on health outcomes is less well established. This review was conducted to examine the strength of evidence supporting Step 6 of the Australian Asthma Management Plan: "Educate and Review Regularly"; to test whether health outcomes are influenced by education and self-management programmes. ⋯ Training in asthma self-management which involves self-monitoring by either peak expiratory flow or symptoms, coupled with regular medical review and a written action plan appears to improve health outcomes for adults with asthma. Training programmes which enable people to adjust their medication using a written action plan appear to be more effective than other forms of asthma self-management.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewIntra-pleural fibrinolytic therapy vs. conservative management in the treatment of parapneumonic effusions and empyema.
Effusions and empyema may complicate lower respiratory tract infections. Loculation of fluid is a major problem with this condition so treatments have included surgical drainage and the use of intra-pulmonary fibrinolysis to break down fibrin bands that may cause loculation. ⋯ There is currently insufficient evidence to support routine use of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in the treatment of parapneumonic effusion and empyema. The results of a large multi-centre study, currently underway, are awaited.
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Although low back pain is usually a self-limiting and benign disease that tends to improve spontaneously over time, a large variety of therapeutic interventions are available for the treatment of low back pain. ⋯ The evidence summarised in this systematic review does not indicate that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of back pain.