Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewDouble bag or Y-set versus standard transfer systems for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in end-stage renal disease.
Peritonitis is the most frequent serious complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). It has a major influence on the number of patients switching from CAPD to haemodialysis and has probably restricted the wider acceptance and uptake of CAPD as an alternative mode of dialysis. ⋯ Double bag systems should be the preferred exchange systems in CAPD.
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It is believed that ivermectin (a microfilaricide) could prevent blindness due to onchocerciasis. However, when given to everyone in communities where onchocerciasis is common, the effects of ivermectin on lesions affecting the eye are uncertain and data on whether the drug prevents visual loss is unclear. ⋯ Questions about the effectiveness of ivermectin in preventing visual acuity loss have not been answered by best available evidence.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewTroleandomycin as an oral corticosteroid steroid sparing agent in stable asthma.
Patients with chronic severe asthma are often dependent on the long term prescription of oral corticosteroids. The use of steroids is associated with serious side effects. Physicians treating such patients continue to search for alternative therapies that reduce the need for chronic dosing with oral steroids. troleandomycin is a compound that is established as an effective antibiotic but may also have non antibacterial actions that may be useful in the treatment of asthma. ⋯ There is insufficient evidence to support the use of troleandomycin in the treatment of steroid dependent asthma.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewColchicine for alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
The majority of liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis cases in the Western World is caused by alcohol and hepatotoxic viruses. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic medication. Several randomised clinical trials have addressed the question whether colchicine has any efficacy in patients with alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic fibrosis and cirrhosis. ⋯ Colchicine should not be used for alcoholic, viral, or cryptogenic liver fibrosis or liver cirrhosis outside randomised trials.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2001
ReviewRemoval of nail polish and finger rings to prevent surgical infection.
Surgical wound infection may be caused by transfer of bacteria from the hands of the surgical team during operative procedures. Careful surgical scrubbing is therefore performed to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin. The wearing of finger rings and nail polish is thought to reduce the efficacy of the scrub as they are thought to harbour bacteria in microscopic imperfections of nail polish and on the skin beneath finger rings. ⋯ There is no evidence of the effect of removing nail polish or finger rings on the rate of surgical wound infection. There is insufficient evidence of the effect of wearing nail polish on the number of bacteria on the skin. However, the one trial making this comparison trial was too small to exclude anything other than a very large difference in the number of bacteria on the skin.