Objectives To evaluate the effect of metrinidazole treatment after conventional hemorrhoidectomy pain in patients with third and fourth degree hemorrhoids. Methods We searched the Cochrane Library (Issue 1 2009), PubMed (1966 to March 2009), EMbase (1974 to March 2009), SCI (1974 to March 2009), CBM (1978 to March 2009), CNKI (1994 to March 2009), and VIP (1989 to March 2009) to identify randomized controlled trials or quasi- randomize controlled trials of metronidazole versus placebo for treating post hemorrhoidectomy pain. We evaluated the quality of the included studies by using the Handbook 4.2.6 recommend standards and analyzed data using the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.10. Results We included seven randomized controlled trials or quais-randomized controlled trials (n=553). Meta-analyses showed that there were statistical differences between metronidazole and placebo in pain after hemorrhoidectomy and the use of an additional dose of analgesia. Conclusions The current evidence shows that metronidazole relieves the pain after conventional hemorrhoidectomy and reduces the additional used of analgesics. Further high quality, large sample randomized controlled trials should be carried out.
Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness of vacuum-formed versus Hawley retainers in the period of retention. Methods PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and WanFang Data were searched from the date of their establishment to December 31, 2011, to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the clinical effectiveness of vacuum-formed versus Hawley retainers. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by two reviewers independently, and meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.1.4 software. Results Six RCTs including 935 patients were identified. The results of meta-analyses showed significantly fewer changes in irregularity of the maxillary incisors (MD=0.13, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.21) and mandibular incisors (MD=0.29, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.33) in the vacuum-formed group than in the Hawley group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in maxillary intercanine width (MD=?–0.01, 95%CI –0.03 to 0.01), mandibular intercanine width (MD=0.04, 95%CI –0.02 to 0.10), maxillary intermolar width (MD=?–0.01, 95%CI –0.03 to 0.00) and mandibular intermolar width (MD=?–0.02, 95%CI –0.08 to 0.04). The results of qualitative analysis were consistent with the results of meta-analysis and there were no significant differences in overjet and overbite. Conclusion Vacuum-formed retainers are more effective than Hawley retainers at maintaining position of incisors in the period of retention. In other aspects, they are similar. In consideration of the factors such as the limited quality and incomplete measure index of primary studies, RCTs of higher methodological quality are needed.
Fleming proposed the concept of evidence-based pathology (EBP) in 1996. In recent years, there have been a lot of evidence-based studies on the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. However, there are still limitations and challenges in the development, and the growth in application of evidence-based medicine in the pathology is still slow. This study introduced the history of evidence-based pathology, summarized the primary application areas and the latest research progress, analyzed current opportunities and challenges of evidence-based pathology, and provided some suggestions.
Objectives To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of coronary artery drug injection for slow flow/no-reflow phenomenon after coronary stent implantation. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2009), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and WanFang databases from their inception to April 2009. Two reviewers independently evaluated the quality of the included studies and extracted the data. Meta-analyses were performed by RevMan 5.0 software. Results Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 593 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that urokinase, adenosine, and anisodamine could significantly improve the thrombolysis in myocardial infartion (TIMI) flow. In addition, anisodamine could improve the coronary blood pressure. Urokinase significantly reduced the incidence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and non-fatal of heart failure during hospitalization, but it could not change the mortality and the incidence of unstable angina, recurrence of myocardial infarction, and ischemic target revascularization. Conclusion Evidence shows that anisodamine, urokinase, urapidil and adenosine can improve TIMI flow and improve myocardial perfusion on the no-reflow patients post coronary stent implantation and urokinase can significantly reduce the incidence of main adverse cardiovascular events. Their clinical application is worthy to be advocated.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mifepristone for perimenopause dysfunctional uterine bleeding (PDUB). Methods Such databases as VIP, CNKI, Wanfang and CBM were retrieved for collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on mifepristone for PDUB. The quality of included studies was evaluated and Meta-analysis was performed according to the Cochrane methods. Results Forty RCTs involving 3 850 PDUB patients were included. The control group was divided into two sub-groups according to the features of intervention drugs: the sub-group of diagnostic curettage plus progestational hormone, and the sub-group of diagnostic curettage plus antiestrogenic drugs. The Meta-analysis indicated that compared with the sub-group of diagnostic curettage plus progestational hormone, the diagnostic curettage plus mifepristone group was more effective to increase the total effective rate, such as improving symptoms and signs of PDUB (RR=1.11, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.16, Plt;0.000 01), and to reduce recurrence (RR=0.44, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.52, Plt;0.000 01). But no differences were found between the two groups in the change of endometrial thickness, contents of hemoglobin, and serum level of FSH, LH, E2 and P hormone. Both the intervention and control groups appeared mild adverse reactions, such as rashes, tidal fever, nausea, anorexia, vomiting and breast distending, but with no liver and kidney damages. The long-term safety failed to be evaluated due to short follow-up time. Conclusion Based on this review, diagnostic curettage plus mifepristone shows certain advantage in the treatment of PDUB including the total effective rate and reducing recurrence. But there is no difference in regulating sex hormone level, inhibiting endometrial proliferation and improving anemia compared with the group of diagnostic curettage plus progestational hormone. However, this evidence is not b enough due to the low quality of included trials, possible bias risk, and failure of evaluating its long-term safety.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of MR imaging for anterior cruciate ligament. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, CSJD and CJFD to find all diagnostic tests about MR imaging in anterior cruciate ligament. QUADAS items were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. We used Meta-disc software for data collection, and sensitivity, specificity and SROC curves were calculated to assess the diagnostic value of individual diagnostic tests. Results Twenty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. Compared with arthroscope, the summary values of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and SROC curve of MR imaging were 93%, 93%, 9.85, 126.39, and 0.971 4, respectively. Conclusion MR imaging can be regarded as an effective and feasible method for ACL tears diagnosis and screening clinically, based on the results of this systematic review.
Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of metformin plus rosiglitazone in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Based on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched the CochraneLibrary (2008, 4 issue), PubMed (1966 to October 19, 2008), Embase (1974 to October 19, 2008), China BiomedicalLiterature Database (1978 to October 12, 2008), China Journal Fulltext Database (1994 to October 12, 2008), ChineseScientific Journals Full text Database (1989 to October 12, 2008). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Metforminplus roziglitazone versus metformin for type 2 diabetes were included. We assessed the quality of the included RCTsaccording to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1. The Cochrane Collaboration’s software RevMan 5.0 was used for meta-analysis. Results Twelve RCTs totaling 3020 patients were included. Metaanalysis showed that Glycosylated hemoglobin levels [WMD= – 0.48%, 95%CI (– 0.74, – 0.22), P=0.000 3], fasting plasma glucose levels [WMD= – 1.03mmol/L, 95%CI (– 1.85, – 0.75), Plt;0.000 01], insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function improved significantly with metformin plus rosiglitazone therapy. Compared with the metformin monotherapy group, patients treated with metformin plus rosiglitazone had more edema events [RR= 3.27, 95%CI (1.80, 5.91), Plt;0.000 1] and lower gastro-intestinal events [RR= 0.82, 95%CI (0.71, 0.94), P=0.004]. We found no statistically significant effect on body weight, the percentage of patients with at least one adverse event, and hypoglycemia events. Conclusions Current evidence demonstrates that combination treatment with metformin plus rosiglitazone improves glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and cells function more effectively than with metformin monotherapy. Side effects of two types of therapy have differences in performance.
Objective To assess the safety and effectiveness of direct stenting (DS) versus conventional stenting (CS) with predilation in clinical practice. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2011), CBM, VIP and CNKI were searched from the date of their establishment to April 2011, to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on DS vs. CS. The quality of RCTs was critically appraised, and the data were extracted and cross-checked by two reviewers independently. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 24 RCTs involving 6 666 patients were included. The results of Meta-analyses showed that DS took shorter operative time compared with CS (MD=–3.36, 95%CI –4.41 to –2.30, Plt;0.000 01) with acute gain (luminal diameter) during operation (MD=–0.01, 95%CI –0.04 to 0.02, P=0.64). But there were no significant differences in the incidence of major adverse cardiac events during six-month follow-up (OR=0.89, 95%CI 0.69 to 1.14, P=0.35) and restenosis (OR=1.02, 95%CI 0.82 to 1.26, P=0.88). Conclusion Current evidence shows that DS is not superior to CS. This conclusion still needs to be further proved by well-designed and large scale RCTs with longer follow-up duration.
Objective To assess the diagnostic value of MRI and Bone Scan (BS) for osseous metastases in patients with breast cancer. Methods The trials were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and VIP; the Criteria for inclusion and exclusion were based on the standard for diagnosis tests. Meta-Disc software (Version 1.4) was used for data analysis; and the area under curve (AUC) of SROC was calculated. Results A total of 5 researches involving 329 patients were included. The sensitivity of MRI and BS were 0.99 (0.97, 1.00) and 0.93 (0.88, 0.97) respectively; the specificity for MRI and BS were 0.99 (0.95, 1.00) and 0.86 (0.79, 0.92) respectively; and the AUC of SROC curve for MRI and BS were 0.993 6 and 0.967 5 respectively. Conclusion MRI can be regarded as an effective and feasible method for osseous metastases in breast cancer.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose urokinase plus conventional treatment versus conventional treatment alone in patients with unstable angina. Methods We searched the database PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, SCI, CBM, CNK, VIP and Wanfang database on line by computer, and handsearched relevant professional journals by two independent screening and extract information. The quality of the included documents was evaluated by the criterion of Cochrane handbook 4.2.6. The cochrane collaboration’s Revman 4.2.10 software was used for data analyses. Results A total of 19 randomized controlled trials were included (2 273 patients) Meta-analyses showed that the low-dose urokinase group was better than the conventional treatment group in efficiency [OR= 4.18, 95%CI (3.24, 5.41)] and ECG [OR= 2.81, 95%CI (2.04, 3.88)], and there were no differences between the two groups in cardiovascular outcomes [OR= 0.74, 95%CI (0.44,1.24)], mucocutaneous bleeding [OR= 1.43, 95%CI (0.90, 2.28)], gums bleeding [OR= 1.88, 95%Cl (0.46, 7.70)] and microscopic hematuria [OR= 3.82, 95%CI (0.77, 18.92)]. Conclusion The low dose urokinase group is higher efficient than the conventional treatment group. As the samples of the included studies are small and their quality is low, more randomized, double-blind, high-quality and big- sample trials are required.