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Background There are a variety of ways in which accuracy of clinical tests can be summarised in systematic reviews. Variation in reporting of summary measures has only been assessed in a small survey restricted to…
HealthData.Gov
Background Complementary therapies are widespread but controversial. We aim to provide a comprehensive collection and a summary of systematic reviews of clinical trials in three major complementary therapies…
HealthData.Gov
Background We aim to establish the evidence base for the recognition and management of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and to compare this with current practice amongst UK obstetricians and coloproctologists.…
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Background Rofecoxib is a cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective inhibitor. This systematic review of rofecoxib in acute pain examined studies in adults of analgesic efficacy over six hours, the amount and quality of the evidence…
HealthData.Gov
Background A review of the safety and efficacy of drinking water fluoridation was commissioned by the UK Department of Health to investigate whether the evidence supported a beneficial effect of water fluoridation and…
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Background In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) had eight sets of conflicting recommendations for decontaminating medical equipment. We conducted a systematic review of observational studies to assist WHO in…
HealthData.Gov
Background The relative efficacy of antiemetics for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is poorly understood. Methods Systematic search (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, bibliographies, any…
HealthData.Gov
Background Although appetite suppressants have been implicated in the development of valvular heart disease, the exact level of risk is still uncertain. Initial studies suggested that as many as 1 in 3 exposed patients…
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Background Meta-analysis is often considered to be a simple way to summarize the existing literature. In this paper we describe how a meta-analysis resembles a conventional study, requiring a written protocol with…
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Background Decisions on treatment are guided, not only by the potential for benefit, but also by the nature and severity of adverse drug reactions. However, some researchers have found numerous deficiencies in trial…
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Objective To investigate topical honey in superficial burns and wounds though a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Data sources Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, reference lists and databases…
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Background This study was designed to evaluate if erythropoietin (EPO) is effective in the treatment of cancer related anemia, and if its effect remains unchanged when data are analyzed according to various clinical and…
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Background Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) occurs primarily in children and is believed to evolve from bacteremia followed by localization of infection to the metaphysis of bones. Currently, there is no consensus…
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Purpose A systematic review of the literature was carried out to determine the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) . Methods To be eligible, full published trials needed to…
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Background Although guidelines for critical appraisal of diagnostic research and meta-analyses have already been published, these may be difficult to understand for clinical researchers or do not provide enough detailed…
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Aims To examine the effect of updating a systematic review of nicotine replacement therapy on its contents and conclusions. Methods We examined the effects of regular updating of a systematic review of nicotine…
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Objective To review published randomised controlled trials to assess the benefit and harm of imiquimod in the treatment of external genital warts. Data sources MEDLINE (1966 - December 2000), Cochrane Library (Issue 3,…
HealthData.Gov
Background Suspected acute appendicitis is the most frequent cause for emergency operations in visceral surgery worldwide. In approximately twenty percent of all cases however, the diagnosis is incorrect and patients…
HealthData.Gov
Background Complementary therapies are widespread but controversial. We aim to provide a comprehensive collection and a summary of systematic reviews of clinical trials in three major complementary therapies…
HealthData.Gov
Background Complementary therapies are widespread but controversial. We aim to provide a comprehensive collection and a summary of systematic reviews of clinical trials in three major complementary therapies…