Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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A variety of manual therapies with similar postulated biologic mechanisms of action are commonly used to treat patients with asthma. Manual therapy practitioners are also varied, including physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, chiropractic and osteopathic physicians. A systematic review across disciplines is warranted. ⋯ There is insufficient evidence to support the use of manual therapies for patients with asthma. There is a need to conduct adequately-sized RCTs that examine the effects of manual therapies on clinically relevant outcomes. Future trials should maintain observer blinding for outcome assessments, and report on the costs of care and adverse events. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of manual therapy for patients with asthma.
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The sphincter of Oddi regulates both bile and pancreatic juice flow into the duodenum. When dysfunction occurs it leads to problems relating to either the bile or pancreatic ducts. On the biliary side, the most common problem is recurrent biliary type pain following cholecystectomy. ⋯ These results suggest that sphincterotomy for biliary sphincter of Oddi dysfunction appears effective in those patients with an elevated sphincter of Oddi basal pressure (>40 mmHg), but is no better than placebo in those patients with a normal basal pressure. The results reported in this review must be interpreted with caution as there are only two studies and one of the reviewers (Toouli) has been an author in both studies. Further trials by independent groups are recommended.
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Pre-operative traction following an acute hip fracture remains standard practice in some hospitals. ⋯ From the evidence available, the routine use of traction (either skin or skeletal) prior to surgery for a hip fracture does not appear to have any benefit. However, the evidence is also insufficient to rule out the potential advantages for traction, in particular for specific fracture types, or to confirm additional complications due to traction use. Further, high quality trials would be required to confirm or refute the absence of benefits of traction.
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects 1-2/1,000 of the adult population per annum in western societies. It may be associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) which carries a 10% fatality rate. Sufferers may develop post-thrombotic syndrome with swelling of the leg, secondary varicose veins and ulceration. In the initial stages of treatment for DVT patients are traditionally admitted to hospital for intravenous treatment with unfractionated heparin (UH) for three to five days. The dose of UH required to provide a therapeutic level of anticoagulation is unpredictable, so the blood must be closely monitored. Fractionated, or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), is given subcutaneously once daily and requires no monitoring, so can be given in hospital or at home. ⋯ The limited evidence suggests that home management is cost effective, and likely to be preferred by patients. Further large trials comparing these treatments are unlikely to be held. Therefore, home treatment is likely to become the norm, and further research will be directed to resolving practical issues.
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The complaint of a burning sensation in the mouth can be said to be a symptom of other disease or a syndrome in its own right of unknown aetiology. In patients where no underlying dental or medical causes are identified and no oral signs are found, the term burning mouth syndrome (BMS) should be used. The prominent feature is the symptom of burning pain which can be localised just to the tongue and/or lips but can be more widespread and involve the whole of the oral cavity. Reported prevalence rates in general populations vary from 0.7% to 15%. Many of these patients show evidence of anxiety, depression and personality disorders. ⋯ Given the chronic nature of BMS, the need to identify an effective mode of treatment for sufferers is vital. However, there is little research evidence that provides clear guidance for those treating patients with BMS. Further trials, of high methodological quality, need to be undertaken in order to establish effective forms of treatment for patients suffering from BMS.