Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Ulceration of the feet, which can result in loss of limbs and even death, is one of the major health problems for people with diabetes mellitus. ⋯ RCTs evaluating education for people with diabetes, aimed at preventing diabetic foot ulceration, are mostly of poor methodological quality. Weak evidence suggests that patient education may reduce foot ulceration and amputations, especially in high-risk patients. Foot care knowledge and behaviour of patients seem positively influenced by patient education in the short term. Because of conflicting results and the methodological shortcomings more RCTs are needed.
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Mannitol is sometimes effective in reversing acute brain swelling, but its effectiveness in the ongoing management of severe head injury remains unclear. There is evidence that, in prolonged dosage, mannitol may pass from the blood into the brain, where it might cause increased intracranial pressure. ⋯ High-dose mannitol may be preferable to conventional-dose mannitol in the acute management of comatose patients with severe head injury. Mannitol therapy for raised ICP may have a beneficial effect on mortality when compared to pentobarbital treatment, but may have a detrimental effect on mortality when compared to hypertonic saline. ICP-directed treatment shows a small beneficial effect compared to treatment directed by neurological signs and physiological indicators. There are insufficient data on the effectiveness of pre-hospital administration of mannitol.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2005
ReviewNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain in women with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition that affects women and can lead to painful symptoms and infertility. It affects women's quality of life greatly, impacting on their careers, everyday activities, sexual and non-sexual relationships, and fertility. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used first-line treatment for endometriosis. ⋯ There is inconclusive evidence to show whether NSAIDs (naproxen) are effective in managing pain caused by endometriosis. There is no evidence to show whether any individual NSAID is more effective than another. As shown in other Cochrane reviews, women using NSAIDs need to be aware of the possibility that these drugs may cause unintended effects.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2005
ReviewContinuous negative extrathoracic pressure or continuous positive airway pressure for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in children.
Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the pediatric age group. Positive pressure ventilation is currently the standard of care, though is known to be associated with complications. Continuous negative extrathoracic pressure ventilation (CNEP) or continuous positive airway pressure ventilation delivered via non-invasive approaches (Ni-CPAP) have shown certain beneficial effects in animal and uncontrolled human studies. ⋯ There is a lack of well designed, controlled experiments of noninvasive modes of respiratory support in children with AHRF. Implication for research: Reduction of in-hospital mortality is an important outcome and even a small reduction could be beneficial. Studies assessing other outcomes such as avoidance of intubation and its associated complications, reduction in hospital stay and improvement in patient comfort are also valuable in gauging the overall impact of these strategies.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2005
ReviewRestriction of oral intake of water for aspiration lung disease in children.
Primary aspiration of food and fluid is commonly seen in children with feeding and swallowing difficulties associated with a range of diseases and complex medical conditions. Respiratory sequelae and pneumonia are known to be associated with primary aspiration of ingested material, however causality between primary aspiration of specific food and fluid types and pulmonary effects in children is yet to be established in controlled trials. The relative pulmonary morbidity of aspiration of ingested food and fluid materials versus other causes of respiratory disease such as viral and bacterial causes, secondary aspiration of gastrointestinal contents and predisposing lung conditions such as chronic neonatal lung disease in a developing immune system is also unclear. Current management decisions for children who aspirate have to optimise oral nutrition and hydration, while reducing the risk of aspiration to preserve pulmonary integrity. This generally includes restricting aspirated food or fluids and providing texture-modified diets and thickened fluids. Young children frequently refuse thickened fluids providing a management dilemma for both families and health professionals. ⋯ There are no trials that have adequately evaluated the pulmonary effects of allowing or restricting oral water ingestion in children known to have primary aspiration of thin fluids. Thus, there is currently an absence of evidence to support a strict approach of full restriction of oral intake of water or support a more liberal approach of allowing oral water ingestion in children with primary aspiration of thin fluids.