Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewCognitive behaviour therapy for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.
1. To systematically review all randomised controlled trials of cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); 2. To test the hypothesis that CBT is more effective than orthodox medical management or other interventions in adults with CFS. ⋯ Cognitive behaviour therapy appears to be an effective and acceptable treatment for adult out-patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. CFS is a common and disabling disorder. Its sufferers deserve the medical profession to be more aware of the potential of this therapy to bring lasting functional benefit, and health service managers to increase its availability. Further research is needed in this important area. Trials should conform to accepted standards of reporting and methodology. The effectiveness of CBT in more and less severely disabled patients than those usually seen in out-patient clinics needs to be assessed. Trials of group CBT and in-patient CBT compared to orthodox medical management, and of CBT compared to graded activity alone, also need to be conducted.
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The course of advanced renal cell carcinoma is extremely variable, ranging from spontaneous remission to disease progression refractory to chemotherapy. Immunotherapy has held promise of improved outcomes based on uncontrolled studies and randomized controlled trials generally limited by small size and low power. ⋯ Interferon-alpha provides a modest survival benefit compared to other commonly used treatments and should be considered for the control arm of future studies of systemic agents. Interleukin-2 has not been validated in controlled randomized studies.
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Sickle cell disease comprises of a group of genetic blood disorders, and occurs when the sickle cell haemoglobin gene is inherited from both parents. The effects of the condition are: varying degrees of anaemia which if severe reduce the capacity for mobility; predisposition to obstruction of small blood capillaries causing pain in muscle and bone known as "crises"; damage to major organs such as the spleen, liver, kidneys, and lungs; and increased vulnerability to severe infections. There are both medical and non-medical complications, and treatment is usually symptomatic and palliative in nature. Psychological intervention for individuals with sickle cell disease seems viable in complementing current medical treatment, and studies examining their efficacy appear to have also yielded encouraging results. ⋯ Psychological approaches are commonly used in an attempt to improve coping ability in patients with sickle cell disease. No conclusions can be made about the use of specific psychological therapies in sickle cell disease from the information currently available. This systematic review has clearly identified the need for well designed, adequately-powered, multicentre, RCTs assessing the effectiveness of specific interventions in sickle cell disease.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewMedical anti-shock trousers (pneumatic anti-shock garments) for circulatory support in patients with trauma.
Medical antishock trousers (MAST) have been used to increase venous return to the heart until definitive care could be given. This, combined with compression of blood vessels, is believed to cause the movement of blood from the lower body to the brain, heart and lungs. However, the equipment is expensive, and may have adverse effects. ⋯ There is no evidence to suggest that MAST/PASG application reduces mortality, length of hospitalisation or length of ICU stay in trauma patients and it is possible that it may increase these. These data do not support the continued use of MAST/PASG in the situation described. However, it should be recognised that, due to the poor quality of the trials, conclusions should be drawn with caution.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewAntibiotic prophylaxis regimens and drugs for cesarean section.
Prophylactic antibiotics for cesarean section have been shown to reduce the incidence of maternal postoperative infectious morbidity. Many different antibiotic regimens have been reported to be effective. ⋯ Both ampicillin and first generation cephalosporins have similar efficacy in reducing postoperative endometritis. There does not appear to be added benefit in utilizing a more broad spectrum agent or a multiple dose regimen. There is a need for an appropriately designed randomized trial to test the optimal timing of administration (immediately after the cord is clamped versus pre-operative).