Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common diseases in early infancy and childhood. Long term effects of recurrent episodes of otitis media, rapid emergence of drug resistant bacteria associated with AOM worldwide and huge estimated direct and indirect annual costs associated with otitis media have emphasized the need for an effective vaccination program to prevent episodes of AOM. ⋯ Based on the currently available results of the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination for the prevention of AOM, a large scale use of pneumococcal polysaccharide and conjugate vaccination for this specific indication is not yet recommended. So far, pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations are not indicated in the management of recurrent AOM in toddlers and older children. The results of currently ongoing trials of 9- and 11-valent conjugate vaccines should provide more information as to whether pneumococcal vaccines are more effective in specific high-risk populations like infants and older children with recurrent AOM or immunodeficiency.
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Herbal medicines are being used for treating viral diseases including viral myocarditis, and many controlled trials have been done to investigate their efficacy. ⋯ Some herbal medicines may have anti-arrhythmia effect in suspected viral myocarditis. However, interpretation of these findings should be careful due to the low methodological quality, small sample size, and limited number of trials on individual herbs. In the light of the findings, some herbal medicines deserve further examination in rigorous trials.
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) consists of intermittently administering 100% oxygen at pressures greater than 1 atmosphere in a pressure vessel. This technology has been used to treat a variety of disease states and has been described as helping patients who have sustained burns. ⋯ This systematic review has not found sufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of HBOT for the management of thermal burns. Evidence from the two randomised controlled trials is insufficient to provide clear guidelines for practice. Further research is needed to better define the role of HBOT in the treatment of thermal burns.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewGranulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of pneumonia in adults.
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a naturally-occurring cytokine that has been shown to increase neutrophil function and number. Exogenous administration of recombinant G-CSF (filgrastim, pegfilgrastim or lenograstim) has found extensive use in the treatment of febrile neutropaenia, but its role in the treatment of infection in non-neutropaenic hosts is less well defined. ⋯ There is no current evidence supporting the routine use of G-CSF in the treatment of pneumonia. Studies in which G-CSF is administered prophylactically or earlier in therapy may be of interest.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewNutritional supplementation for hip fracture aftercare in the elderly.
Fractures of the hip are an important cause of later ill health and mortality in elderly people. People with hip fractures are often malnourished at the time of fracture, and have poor food intake in hospital. ⋯ The strongest evidence for the effectiveness of nutritional supplementation exists for oral protein and energy feeds, but the evidence is still very weak. Future trials are required which overcome the defects of the reviewed studies, particularly inadequate size, methodology and outcome assessment.