Based on the site visit on the current application and practice of evidence-based medicine in USA, we find the difference between China and USA so as to further promote and plan the development of evidence-based medicine in China.
Objective We intended to get a good understanding of the current role of alkylating agents in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods We searched the Cochrane Library ( Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1978 Jun., 2005) and CBM disc(1978-2005) to get the current best evidence of alkylating agents for treating IMN with NS and further critically appraised the available evidence. Results Alkylating agents showed a significant beneficial effect on complete remission of proteinuria. The treatment of glucocorticoid with cyclophosphamide (MP+CTX) was one of the best managements among the various regimens suggested for IMN, but it was not clear about its long-term effect on renal survival rate. Given the current best evidence together with our clinical experience and the attitudes of the patient and family members, the treatment of (MP+CTX) was administered. There was a significant remission of proteinuria after 6 months follow-up. Conclusions The treatment of (MP+CTX) can significantly improve the remission of proteinuria, however further observations on the long-term effect of alkylating agents on renal survival rate are required.
Medicine is a very important health resource in China. Although numerous efforts are paid to pre-marketed medicines, little is done to address practical problems in marketed medicines. The rational use and allocation of marketed medicines remain a major concern for decision-makers in China. It has been recognized that economic evaluation is an efficient tool for prioritizing the choice, and optimizing the use of medicines. This paper has explored the methods and principles for conducting economic evaluation of marketed medicines. Different strategies will be adopted for economic evidence for marketed medicines in terms of adequacy and sufficiency.However, a standard study pathway should be applied in economic evaluation of marketed medicines. Besides, the aspects for developing economic framework and the methods for reviewing existing economic evidence are also introduced in this paper, particularly, for marketed medicines within the same therapeutic group.
Objective To investigate the current situation of clinical studies on puerarin for angina pectoris and assess whether it is adequate to provide evidence for clinical practiice. Methods We collected all the published clinical studies on puerarin for angina pectoris from 1966 to October 2003, and assessed all the included reports according to international clinical epidemiological standard. Results 106 RCTs, 8 non-randomized controlled studies and 24 case series were included and analyzed. 126 studies reported diagnosis criteria, 10 desccribed inclusion criteria; 3 studies were quasi-random, 1 double blind, 4 single blind; no study reported follow-up; 117 studies reported adverse effects. Conclusions Currently the quality of studies on puerarin for angina pectoris is not good enough to provide reliable evidence for clinical practice.
Objective We searched and reviewed medical evidence to find the guide of treatment for local advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods Firstly, we put forward clinical questions. Secondly, we searched medical evidence from Medline (1985-2002), Embase (1984-2000), Cochrane library (2002.1) and ACP. And then we reviewed the results. The key words we used were "nasopharyngeal carcinoma, chemotherapy and radiotherapy randomized" and "meta analysis or randomized control trial". Results Through searching, we got 17 papers including 1 systematic review and 16 randomized control trials, in which there were 8 prospective randomized phase Ⅲ trials. Most of these trials concluded that combination chemo-radiotherapy were better than radiotherapy alone. We think these results were suitable for our patient’treatment decision. Conclusion To treat our patients,we choosed the method of the mutimodality of squeitial neoadjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent chemo-radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy with the drug doses down-adjusted.
It is essential to improve the practice of community healthcare service for the resolution of the problem of inadequate and overly expensive medical services, to promote the harmonization of doctor-patient relationship. From the aspects of the introduction of community healthcare service and the necessity of its standard management, the civil legal relation of community healthcare and its major problems, as well as the rights and duties of community doctors, the authors discussed the importance and necessity of scientific management, right protection by law as well as sound and orderly development of community healthcare service.
Objectives To analyze the effect of improved oven for defluorination in coal-burning endemic fluorosis areas in China, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of fluorosis. Methods Electronic databases including CNKI, CBM, VIP and CDMD-D (1989 to 2005), were searched. We also checked the reference lists of relevant articles. We selected relevant articles according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was assessed . Data on room heat preservation and the effect of improved oven for defluorination were collected in the surveillance spots of Three Gorges Reservoir. Correlation analyses were conducted between the improved oven and its effect parameters. Results Twelve articles of low quality met the selection criteria, of which 9 were graded C and 3 were graded D in terms of the methodological quality. A negative correlation was found between the decreasing rate of normal oven use and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of urine fluorine (Pearson correlation coefficient r = – 0.87, – 0.63, Plt;0.01, lt;0.05, respectively). Analysis also revealed a positive correlation between room heat preservation and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of normal oven use (the two Spearman correlation coefficients and P values were the same: r = –1.00, Plt;0.01). Conclusion High-quality studies on the effect of improved oven for defluorination in China are not available. Based on the current evidence, the improved oven for defluorination and the correct use, maintenance and house rebuilding for heat preservation may help to prevent fluorosis.
Objective To formulate an individualized evidence-based treatment for a patient with severe obesity. Methods According to the PICO (patient intervention comparison outcome) principle, the evidence was collected and critically assessed after the clinical issues were put forwarded. The patient’s preference was also taken into account in the decision making process. Results Nine clinical guidelines, eight systematic reviews or meta-analyses and three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. According to the data from the included studies and patient’s special condition, a reasonable surgical treatment regime was made to reduce the weight, relieve all kinds of complications and improve the life quality which were all regarded as the expected target. After one year’s follow-up, the patient’s weight reduced by 20 kg, and some obesity-related co-morbidities such as sleep apnea syndrome and hyperlipoidemia were also improved significantly. Conclusion The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is an effective operation for severely obese individuals. This procedure can not only achieve weight loss, but also improve some obesity-related co-morbidities.
Objective To investigate baseline data of the current status of patients in China, and thus to develop strategies to get patients involved in evidence-based medicine (EBM). Method 300 questionnaires with 17 questions were distributed to the in-patients in West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Statistical software such as SPASS 10. 0 was applied to analyze all the data. Results No patients had ever heard of EBM. Most patients did not know much information about their diseases, but had a b desire to learn from their doctors. Most of them would like to be involved in the treatment decision-making and hoped that their doctors would care about their preference. The cost and the effectiveness of the treatment were the most important issues that patient concerned about. Conclusions The dissemination of health information is very limited for patients and the accessibility of effective health information depends much on the direct communication with their doctors. Promoting patient involved in EBM is fairly a hard and long way to go based on the actual reality of the country.
Objective To investigate the current status of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) on pressure sore in China. Methods We searched Chinese Journal of Nursing, Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing and Journal of Nurses Training in CNKI and VIP (January 2000 to December 2005) for Chinese articles on pressure sore, using "pressure sore", "bed sore", "nursing", "treatment", "prevention", "evaluation" and "management" as search terms. The retrieved articles were summarized. Results We identified 16 reports (10 RCTs and 6 CCTs). The studies were judged to be of low quality.There was one study on the evaluation, two on the prevention, and 13 on the treatment of pressure sores. Conclusion The current studies on pressure sore in China are focusing on treatment. Randomized controlled trials of large sample size of pressure sore are needed to improve nursing quality.
