Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PPC) for chronic hepatitis. Methods We searched EMBASE (1980May,2003), MEDLINE(1966May,2003), CBM (1979May,2003), The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2003 and handsearched 8 related Chinese journals. Randomized controlled trials(RCT) comparing PPC versus placebo/no treatment for chronic hepatitis were included with no restrictions of blinding, language and publication. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and assessed the quality . Data were entered and analyzed by RevMan 4.2 software supplied by the Cochrane Collaboration .Results Six high quality trials involving 568 patients were included. Four studies involving 451 patients showed the clinical effective rate of PPC for chronic hepatitis was 52.5% while the control group was 37.5% with statistical difference [RR1.81,95%CI(1.41,2.33),Z=4.69, Plt;0.00001].A meta-analysis involving three studies with 100 patients showed the PPC can statically improve histopathology of chronic hepatitis comparing with control group [RR 2.58,95%CI (1.61,4.15),Z=3.91,Plt;0.0001].No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions PPC is a safe medicine used for treating chronic viral hepatitis and may relieve clinical symptoms and signs.At the same time ,it has positive effect on hepatic histopathology for patients .However ,more high quality clinical trials are required.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on delayed encephalopathy caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.MethodsChina National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, CQVIP data, China Biology Medicine Database, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrance Library were searched by computer for randomized controlled trials on hyperbaric oxygenation for delayed encephalopathy caused by carbon monoxide poisoning which were published in English or Chinese from the dates of establishment of the databases to March 31st, 2019. After literature including, excluding, and screening, RevMan 5.2 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 25 studies were included, including 1 797 patients, 924 in the hyperbaric oxygen therapy group (the trial group) and 873 in the control group. The clinical effective rate [relative risk (RR)=1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.19, 1.30), P<0.000 01], the normal rate of electroencephalogram [RR=2.10, 95%CI (1.18, 3.75), P=0.01], the Mini-Mental State Examination score [standard mean difference (SMD)= 3.19, 95%CI (2.06, 4.32), P<0.000 01], and the Activities of Daily Living score [SMD=1.46, 95%CI (1.02, 1.90), P<0.000 01] were all higher in the trial group than those in the control group.ConclusionHyperbaric oxygen therapy for delayed encephalopathy caused by carbon monoxide poisoning can improve symptoms.
ObjectiveTo systematically review efficacy application of fibrin glue (FG) after thyroidectomy.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the use of FG after thyroidectomy from inception to October 29th, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 15 RCTs involving 2 406 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with non-FG group, the use of FG could reduce postoperative drainage amount at the initial 24 hours (MD=?17.98, 95%CI ?28.35 to ?7.60, P=0.000 7), total amount of wound drainage (MD=?40.92, 95%CI ?46.25 to ?35.59, P<0.000 01), and postoperative discomfort (RR=0.48, 95%CI 0.35 to 0.66, P<0.000 01), as well as shorten drainage time (MD=?9.99, 95%CI ?15.74 to ?4.23, P=0.000 7) and stitches removal time (MD=?1.49, 95%CI ?2.1 to ?0.87, P<0.000 01). However, there was no statistically significant difference concerning postoperative short-term complications such as swelling (RR=0.78, 95%CI 0.48 to 1.28, P=0.32), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (RR=0.83, 95%CI 0.21 to 3.29, P=0.79) and wound infection (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.07 to 1.21, P=0.09) between two groups.ConclusionsThe current evidence shows that FG can reduce postoperative drainage amount and shorten postoperative recovery time in thyroidectomy. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
Objective To assess the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the prevention of colorectal neoplasia. Methods A systematic review of all relevant randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials of NSAIDs for prevention of colorectal neoplasms was performed by using The Cochrane Collaboration recommended methods. Results Nine trials were included and assessed. There was sufficient evidence for aspirin to prevent the development of colorectal adenomas compared with placebo in three trials of high quality and large sample size with relative risk (RR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 0.91 and P=0.000 5 . No adequate evidence supported aspirin in the prevention of development of colorectal cancer (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.20, P= 0.79). However, there was no evidence to support sulindac and celecoxib curing or preventing colorectal adenomas or familial adenomatous polyposis (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.03, P= 0.07 and RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.07, P=0.23). No evidence on the dose of NSAIDs was used for prevention of colorectal adenomas at present. No significant difference was seen in the number of adverse events between patients taking NSAIDs and those taking placebo (P=0.9). Conclusions Aspirin may prevent the development of colorectal adenomas and may avoid polypectomy for 1 in every 10 to 18 persons but we don’t know whether aspirin can be substituted for endoscopically removed colorectal polyps. However, the true clinical benefit for prevention of colorectal neoplasia of NSAIDs should be considered.
Objective To identify and investigate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in 11 non-key Chinese medical journals so as to learn about the current status and problems. Methods Eleven non-key medical journals of TCM from 1995 to 2000 were hand searched to identify the RCT and controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Each identified RCT or CCT was page by page verified by handsearchers based on the criteria developed by the Cochrane Handbook; the RCTs’ design, randomization method description, blind, baseline comparison, inclusion and exclusion criteria, diagnostic criteria,criteria for theraputic effectiveness, sample size, statistical method，described outcome, side effects, and follow up etc. were analyzed. Results In the related journals from 1995 to 2000, a total of 66 volumes and 390 issues were checked. As a result, 22 739 clinical studies were identified, of which 1 416 RCTs, only 24 (1.69%) were done with double blinding. There were 141 CCTs from 1995 to 2000, the total number of RCT increased from 95 to 1 416 and most of studies were on digestives diseases. Most of these studies had no detailed randomization method description, only 38 (2.68%) studies provided a methodology description. In addition, 1 220 (86.16% ) described outcome index, 1 203 (84.96%) used statistical method，934 (65.96%) had baseline comparison，828 (58.47%) described diagnostic criteria, 197 (13.91%) had inclusion and exclusion criteria，finally only 89 (6.29%) reported side effects. Conclusions Although the number of RCT has increased in the 11 non-key medical journals of TCM in the past six years, the quality of these RCTs needs to be improved.
Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy(RT) for endometrial cancer compared to other treatmen. Method The following electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBAS, CancerLit, CBMdisc, CNKI. The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2007). Correlative websites, such as ‘google’, were searched by hand. The studies included in the references of eligible studies were additionally searched RCTs of adjuvant radiotherapy before March, 2007 comparing adjuvant radiotherapy with other treatment for endometrial cancer were included. Eligible RCTs were assessed for quality by two reviewers independently: criteria of concealment of treatment, blinding, standard validity and reliability of outcome measures, withdraw rate, intention-to-treat analysis and homogeneity between centers were analyzed for each study. All data were performed by a meta-analysis. Result Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria/ Methodological quality was level B. Five RCTs were compared adjuvant radiotherapy (external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and /or intracavitary radiotherapy (ICRT) with other treatment, Two RCTs including one RCT was compared two different fractionation schedules for postoperative vagina high-dose-rate(HDR) irradiation in endometrial carcinoma the other RCT was compared two different radiotherapy method (pelvic radiotherapy and vagina radiotherapy vs vagina radiotherapy) for endometrial carcinoma. No survival different were identified; none of the studies was powered enough to show a survival benefit. But who received RT had fewer local (pelvic and/or vagina) recurrences compared to women not receiving RT. Adverse effects is found more often in RT than in not RT, there is less localrecurrences in combined radiotherapy (pelvic radiotherapy and vagina radiotherapy) than in vagina radiotherapy. lowdose vagina radiotherapy had few vagina shortening than high-dose radiotherapy, there are the same 5-overall surviva, local recurrences and distant recurrences. Conclusions Adjuvant radiotherapy for endometrial can cer can better control local recurrences than observation for postoperative endometrial cancer. Effects about overall survival, distant recurrences and disease-free survival are similar; low-dose vagina radiotherapy has few vagina shortening than high-dose radiotherapy, there are the same 5-years overall survival, local recurrences and distant recurrences for endometrial cancer, there is less local recurrences in combined radiotherapy (pelvic radiotherapy plus vagina radiotherapy) than in vagina radiotherapy for endometrial cancer; postoperative high-dose brachytherapy can get good cost-effectiveness; Effect of adjuvant radiotherapy for overall survival and disease-free survival of endometrial carcinoma are needed to further assessed by rigorously designs, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials adjuvant radiotherapy for endometrial carcinoma.
Objective To evaluate the short and long term effectiveness and safety of rapamycin-based immunosuppression regimes with CsA preserving versus CsA withdrawal. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and CNKI from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2005. We identified randomized controlled trials of rapamycin-hased immunosuppression regimes with CsA preserving versus CsA withdrawal for renal transplantation patients. The quality of included trials was evaluated by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was conducted on homogeneous studies. Results Ten studies （1 121 patients） undergoing renal transplantation were included. All included studies were graded in term of randomization, allocation concealment and bhnding. Six studies were graded A and the other 4 were graded B. Meta-analysis results showed CsA withdrawal in sirolimus-based therapy in renal transplantation patients survival rate OR.（95% CI ） values were 0,77（0.17, 3.52）, 1.24（0.48, 3.16）, 1.32（0.57, 3.08）, 1.21（0.60, 2.41） at the end of 6, 12, 24, 36 months respectively; renal allografts survival rate OR. （95% CI） values were 1.79 （0.63, 5.06）, 1.15 （ 0.56, 2.36） , 1.39 （0.68, 2.85）, 1.80（0.99, 3.29）, 2. 13（1.16, 3.89）, 2.01（1.15, 3.51） at the end of 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 54 months respectively; and acute rejection OP,（95% CI） values were 0.92（0.48, 1.78）, 1.90（1.25, 2.89）, 2. 01 （0.94,4.27）, 1.93（0.93, 4.00）, 1.52（0.77, 3.02） at the end of6, 12, 24, 36, 48 months respectively. Conclusions Available evidence shows that compared with CsA preserving, CsA withdrawal in rapamycin-based immunosuppression regimes can lead to higher incidence rates of acute rejection at the end of one year while there is no statistical difference to survival rate of patients/renal allograft in cases with stabilized renal function post-transplantation. And CsA withdrawal is of benefit to allografts for long term survival rate and is helpful to recovery of renal function. Owing to high possibility of selection bias and measurement bias in included studies, there must be a negative impact on evidence intensity of our results. We expect best evidence from with high quality double blind randomized control trials.
Objective To assess the effects and possible adverse reactions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating arteriosclerosis obliterans. Methods Materials were collected with both electronic retrieval including EMbase (1978 to October 2009), OVID-MEDLINE (1950 to October 2009), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 3, 2009), Current Controlled Trials, The National Research Register, CBM (1983 to September 2009), CNKI (1995 to September 2009), Wanfang Data (1994 to 2009), and VIP Data (1989 to 2009), and manual retrieval of related journals. All the retrievals were published before November 10, 2009 without limitation of languages. The quality of included studies was evaluated, and meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.0.2 software. Results A total of 10 included studies were all randomized controlled trials, including 837 patients, and the sample size of each study was from 36 to 260 cases. Because both Chinese medicines and control drugs used in studies were different from each other, the effect size of each study can only be singley described and newly calculated. Most included studies showed that, the effects of TCM on cure rate, total effective rate and decrease of TC and TG were similar to that of aspirin, acipimox, prostaglandin E1; a few studies showed the effect of TCM was much better; one study on side effect showed that, TCM was less than western medicine. Conclusion The evidences of TCM effects in treating arteriosclerosis obliterans is quite limited, which has to be strengthened by more studies of high quality.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs for treating endometriosis. Methods We searched Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM (from establishment to 2003). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials of patients with endometriosis were included. The quality of included studies such as randomization, blinding, allocation concealment and loss of follow up were evaluated and meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 4.3 software. Results Ten RCTs or quasi-RCTs involving 1 120 patients were included. Because of different therapies in the treatment and control groups, the results of outcome were described separately. Most of included studies suggested that the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on general effect, pregnancy rate improvement and alleviating dysmenorrhoea were similar to Danazol or Tamoxifen, only a few studies showed better effects. There was no evidence to support that TCM was more effective than western medicine in reducing the size of endometriotic cysts. Only one study mentioned the recurrence rate and showed that TCM enema had lower recurrence rate than oral Tamoxifen with OR 0.17, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.67. Five studies mentioned adverse reactions and showed TCM had fewer adverse effects than western medicine. Conclusions Chinese medicinal herbs are effective in treating endometriosis with fewer adverse effects. The evidence is not b enough because of low quality of the included studies. Therefore, more high quality randomized controlled trials are required.
Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety of additional bedtime H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in suppressing nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough (NAB). Methods We identified eligible trials by searching The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMbase and CINAHL. We handsearched the data from the proceedings of correlated conferences, eight kinds of important Chinese journals and references of all included trials. All randomized controlled trials evaluating H2RAs for the control of NAB were eligible for inclusion. The systematic review was conducted using methods recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration. Results Only two randomized crossover studies including 32 participants met the inclusion criteria. Because the design, dosage and duration of the treatment were different between the studies, it was impossible to conduct Meta-analysis. There was no consistent conclusion between the two included studies in evaluating H2RAs for the control of NAB. Conclusion We can not conclude any implications for practice at this stage. Appropriately designed large-scale randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed to decide the effects of additional bedtime H2RAs in suppressing NAB.
