Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Apr 2009
ReviewEffects of changes in the pre-licensure education of health workers on health-worker supply.
The current and projected crisis because of a shortage of health workers in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires that effective strategies for expanding the numbers of health workers are quickly identified in order to inform action by policymakers, educators, and health managers. ⋯ The evidence to estimate the likely effects of interventions in pre-licensure education to increase health-worker supply is generally insufficient or unavailable, particularly in LMICs. Promising innovations from a high-income country include providing financial support to health professional students or introducing mechanisms to identify and encourage potential students and offering support to 'at risk' students. These and other promising interventions should be evaluated in LMIC.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Apr 2009
ReviewPneumococcal vaccines for children and adults with bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is increasingly recognized as a major cause of respiratory morbidity especially in developing countries. Even in affluent countries, bronchiectasis is increasingly seen in some community subsections (e.g. Aboriginal communities) and occurs as a comorbidity and disease modifier in respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Respiratory exacerbations in people with bronchiectasis are associated with reduced quality of life, accelerated pulmonary decline, hospitalisation and even death. Conjugate pneumococcal vaccine is part of the routine infant immunisation schedule in many countries. Current recommendations for additional pneumococcal vaccination include children and adults with chronic suppurative disease. ⋯ Current but limited evidence support the use of 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine as routine management in adults with bronchiectasis. Circumstantial evidence also support the use of routine 23-valent pneumococcal vaccination in children with bronchiectasis. Further randomised controlled trials examining the efficacy of this intervention using various vaccine types in different age groups are needed. There is no data on the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccine on pulmonary decline. With the lack of evidence in how often the vaccine should be given, it is recommended that health providers adhere to national guidelines.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Apr 2009
Review Meta AnalysisSingle dose oral etoricoxib for acute postoperative pain in adults.
Etoricoxib is a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor prescribed for the relief of chronic pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and acute pain. The drug is believed to be associated with fewer upper gastrointestinal adverse effects than conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A number of studies in acute postoperative pain have now been published. ⋯ Single dose oral etoricoxib produces high levels of good quality pain relief after surgery. The 120 mg dose is as effective as, or better than, other commonly used analgesics.
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Enthusiasts suggest that labouring in water and waterbirth increase maternal relaxation, reduce analgesia requirements and promote a midwifery model of care. Sceptics cite the possibility of neonatal water inhalation and maternal/neonatal infection. ⋯ Evidence suggests that water immersion during the first stage of labour reduces the use of epidural/spinal analgesia. There is limited information for other outcomes related to water use during the first and second stages of labour, due to intervention and outcome variability. There is no evidence of increased adverse effects to the fetus/neonate or woman from labouring in water or waterbirth. The fact that use of water immersion in labour and birth is now a widely available care option for women threatens the feasibility of a large, multicentre randomised controlled trial.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Apr 2009
Review Meta AnalysisAngioplasty versus stenting for superficial femoral artery lesions.
Lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common, important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. Stenoses or occlusions in the superficial femoral artery may result in intermittent claudication as an early consequence, which may be treated by balloon angioplasty with or without stenting. ⋯ There is limited benefit to stenting lesions of the superficial femoral artery in addition to angioplasty, however this cannot be recommended routinely based on the results of this analysis.