The Journal of family practice
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect on antibiotic prescribing of repeated clinical prompts to use a sore throat score: lessons from a failed community intervention study.
Infections with group A streptococcus (GAS) occur in 10% to 20% of patients with sore throats, whereas antibiotics are prescribed 50% of the time. Clinical scoring rules can more accurately predict the likelihood of GAS infection, but whether family physicians will adopt such approaches is unclear. This study sought to determine whether repeated clinical prompts to use a scoring approach could help family physicians lower antibiotic use in patients with a sore throat. ⋯ Chart prompts during clinical encounters to use a clinical score in the assessment of patients with a sore throat did not reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing by family physicians. The problems encountered in conducting this community-based intervention trial are discussed in relation to the negative result.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
What is the best treatment for slowing the progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans with hypertensive nephropathy?
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
In patients with asthma that is not well controlled with inhaled steroids, does salmeterol (Serevent) or montelukast (Singulair) offer better symptom relief?
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Fluticasone propionate compared with zafirlukast in controlling persistent asthma: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The objective of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate (an inhaled corticosteroid) with zafirlukast (a leukotriene modifier) for persistent asthma. ⋯ Inhaled fluticasone propionate is more effective than zafirlukast in controlling asthma symptoms, improving pulmonary function, and improving quality of life for patients who are symptomatic with the use of short-acting b2-agonists alone.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Is either sotalol or amiodarone more effective than digoxin for converting patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm within 48 hours?