Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Review Meta Analysis
The Pharmacological Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are markedly less effective against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than against asthma, and also have worse side effects. Whether ICS should be used to treat COPD is currently a matter of debate. ⋯ ICS monotherapy has no clinically useful effect on pulmonary function in COPD. The main form of drug treatment for COPD is with broncho - dilators, either alone or in combination with ICS. ICS can be given to patients with grade III or IV COPD to make exacerbations less frequent. Patients with an asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) can benefit from ICS treatment.
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Review Meta Analysis
The Efficacy, Safety and Applications of Medical Hypnosis.
The efficacy and safety of hypnotic techniques in somatic medicine, known as medical hypnosis, have not been supported to date by adequate scientific evidence. ⋯ Medical hypnosis is a safe and effective complementary technique for use in medical procedures and in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Waking suggestions can be a component of effective doctor-patient communication in routine clinical situations.
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The main objective of hospital hygiene and infection prevention is to protect patients from preventable nosocomial infections. It was recently stated that the proper goal should be for zero infection rates in sterile surgical procedures. In this article, we attempt to determine whether this demand is supported by the available literature. ⋯ A multimodal approach with the participation of specialists from various disciplines can further reduce the rate of postoperative infection. A reduction to zero is not realistic and is not supported by available evidence.
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Disorders of lipid metabolism are very common. They play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and can be effectively treated by lifestyle changes and drugs. ⋯ There is a causal relationship between hypercholesterolemia and the risk of vascular and cardiovascular events. A reduction of LDL cholesterol lessens the risk of cardiovascular events.
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Back pain has many causes. In Germany, about 70% of adults have at least one episode of back pain per year. ⋯ After dangerous conditions have been ruled out, low back pain can be pragmatically classified as either nonspecific or specific. More research is needed so that the diagnostic assessment and individualized treatment of acute lower back pain can be further refined.