Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
Review Comparative StudyFully intermittent dosing with drugs for tuberculosis.
The number of people infected with tuberculosis continues to rise world-wide. Rifampicin-containing treatment regimens can achieve high cure rates. Intermittent drug treatment delivered in the community has the potential to improve adherence to treatment. ⋯ There is not enough evidence to assess the equivalence of effect between fully intermittent, rifampicin-containing short-course chemotherapy and similar daily therapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Larger randomised studies are required to establish the effectiveness of fully intermittent, short-course chemotherapy.
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The cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is inflammation of the peripheral nerves which corticosteroids would be expected to benefit. ⋯ Corticosteroids should not be used in the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome. If a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome needs corticosteroid treatment for some other reason its use will probably not do harm. The effect of intravenous methylprednisolone combined with intravenous immunoglobulin in Guillain-Barré syndrome is being tested with a randomised trial.
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The majority of epileptic patients have a good prognosis and their seizures can be well controlled with the use of a single antiepileptic agent, but up to 30% develop refractory epilepsy, especially those with partial seizures. In this review we summarize the current evidence regarding a new antiepileptic drug, topiramate, when used as an add-on treatment for drug-resistant partial epilepsy. ⋯ Topiramate has efficacy as an add-on treatment in patients with drug resistant partial epilepsy. However, trials reviewed were of relatively short duration, and provide no evidence for the long term efficacy of topiramate. Results cannot be extrapolated to monotherapy or patients with other epilepsy types.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
Review Comparative StudyRisperidone versus typical antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia.
The 'conventional' neuroleptic drugs, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine, are frequently used as the first line treatment for people with schizophrenia. However, about 5-25% of these people show poor response to these treatments and side effects often makes compliance with the 'older generation' of drug treatment problematic. Although the efficacy of these medications with respect to 'positive' symptoms is well described, little evidence exists that 'conventional' antipsychotic treatment has any effect on the 'negative' symptoms of schizophrenia. Risperidone is one of the 'new generation' neuroleptic compounds. As well as its reputed tendency to cause fewer movement disorders it is claimed that risperidone may improve negative symptoms. ⋯ Little can be concluded about the long term effects of risperidone and generalising results beyond a comparison with haloperidol would be imprudent. Risperidone may be more acceptable to those with schizophrenia and have marginal benefits in terms of limited clinical improvement and side
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Cranberries (particularly in the form of cranberry juice) have been used widely for several decades for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. The aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness of cranberries in treating such infections. ⋯ After a thorough search, no randomised trials which assessed the effectiveness of cranberry juice for the treatment of urinary tract infections were found. Therefore, at the present time, there is no good quality evidence to suggest that it is effective for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Well-designed parallel group, double blind trials comparing cranberry juice and other cranberry products versus placebo to assess the effectiveness of cranberry juice in treating urinary tract infections are needed. Outcomes should include reduction in symptoms, sterilisation of the urine, side effects and adherence to therapy. Dosage (amount and concentration) and duration of therapy should also be assessed. Consumers and clinicians will welcome the evidence from these trials.