Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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With the legalization of new forms of gambling there are increasing numbers of individuals who appear to have gambling related problems and who are seeking help. The individual and societal consequences are significant. Pathological gambling can result in the gambler jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship or job and committing criminal offences. Pathological gamblers may develop general medical conditions associated with stress. Increased rates have been reported for mood disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse or dependence. There is a high risk of suicide and a high correlation with antisocial, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders and alcohol addiction. With increasing public awareness of gambling related problems health funders and practitioners are asking questions about the efficacy of treatments. Consequently quality research into gambling treatment is crucial. ⋯ This systematic review revealed a paucity of evidence for effective treatment of pathological gambling. As gambling is becoming more accessible in many countries and there is epidemiological evidence of increasing rates of pathological gambling, more rigorous RCTs are required.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jul 2007
ReviewInfluenza vaccine for children and adults with bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is a major cause of respiratory morbidity especially in developing countries. In affluent countries, bronchiectasis is increasingly recognised in certain subsections of communities (e.g. Aboriginal communities) as well as a coexistent disease/comorbidity and disease modifier in respiratory diseases such as COPD (reported rates of 29-50% in adults). Respiratory exacerbations in people with bronchiectasis are associated with reduced quality of life, accelerated pulmonary decline, hospitalisation and even death. Current recommendations for inactivated influenza vaccination includes adults aged 65 years and over, those in residential care and health care workers and also all adults and children with chronic illness, particularly cardiac and pulmonary diseases. ⋯ There is neither evidence for, nor against, routine annual influenza vaccination for children and adults with bronchiectasis.
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Anxiety disorders are a common occurrence in today's society. There is interest from the community in the use of complementary therapies for anxiety disorders. This review examined the currently available evidence supporting the use of therapeutic touch in treating anxiety disorders. ⋯ Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and the current paucity of evidence on therapeutic touch in this population, there is a need for well conducted randomised controlled trials to examine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jul 2007
ReviewWITHDRAWN: Maternal iodine supplements in areas of deficiency.
Iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of intellectual impairment in the world. Although iodine supplementation is generally considered to be safe, there is a possibility of high doses of iodine suppressing maternal thyroid function. ⋯ Iodine supplementation in a population with high levels of endemic cretinism results in an important reduction in the incidence of the condition with no apparent adverse effects.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jul 2007
ReviewWITHDRAWN: Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis with antiviral agents for solid organ transplantation.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplantation. It is also associated with an increased risk of opportunistic infections, allograft injury and higher transplantation costs. CMV infection also seems to increase the risk of acute and chronic rejection of allografts via immune-mediated vascular injury. These serious consequences of CMV disease have lead to the development of effective strategies for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. However, there is no consensus on the necessity and the efficacy of CMV prophylaxis. ⋯ The use of antiviral agents for the prevention of cytomegalovirus disease and cytomegalovirus infection in solid organ transplantation is supported by this meta-analysis.