Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewModerate-term, low-dose corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis.
To perform a systematic review of low-dose corticosteroid efficacy in the moderate term for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Based on the limited data available, moderate-term prednisone treatment of RA appears to be superior to placebo and comparable to treatment with aspirin or chloroquine in improving several common rheumatoid arthritis disease activity measures.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewGeneral versus spinal/epidural anaesthesia for surgery for hip fractures in adults.
The majority of hip fracture patients are treated surgically, requiring anaesthesia. ⋯ Regional anaesthesia and general anaesthesia appear to produce comparable results for most of the outcomes studied. Regional anaesthesia may reduce short-term mortality but no conclusions can be drawn for longer term mortality.
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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and disabling disorder. By definition prior psychological trauma plays a causal role in the disorder, and psychotherapy is a widely accepted intervention. Nevertheless there is growing evidence that PTSD is characterized by specific psychobiological dysfunctions, and this has contributed to a growing interest in the use of medication in its treatment. ⋯ Medication treatments can be effective in PTSD, acting to reduce its core symptoms, and should be considered as part of the treatment of this disorder. The existing evidence base does not provide sufficient data to suggest particular predictors of response to treatment, or to demonstrate that any particular class of medication is more effective or better tolerated than any other. However, the largest trials showing efficacy to date have been with the SSRIs, and in contrast, there have been negative studies of some agents. Given the high prevalence and enormous personal and societal costs of PTSD, there is a need for additional controlled trials in this area. Additional questions for future research include the effects of medication on quality of life in PTSD, appropriate dose and duration of medication, the use of medication in different trauma groups, in pediatric and geriatric subjects, and the value of early (prophylactic), combined (with psychotherapy), and long-term (maintenance) medication treatment.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
Review Meta AnalysisLong-acting beta2-agonists for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by airflow limitation which is only partially reversible. Long acting beta2-agonists, effective in the management of asthma,are also recommended for COPD management so it is important to establish whether these drugs are effective in reducing COPD symptoms in view of the potential side effect and cost burden. ⋯ Treatment of patients with COPD with long acting beta2-agonists produces only small increases in FEV1. In one study, a dose of salmeterol 50 mcg twice daily produced a reduction in breathlessness and a clinically significant improvement in quality of life. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
Review Meta AnalysisInositol for respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.
Inositol is an essential nutrient required by human cells in culture for growth and survival. Inositol promotes maturation of several components of surfactant and may play a critical role in fetal and early neonatal life. ⋯ Inositol supplementation results in statistically significant and clinically important reductions in important short-term adverse neonatal outcomes. A multi-center RCT of appropriate size is justified to confirm these findings.