Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Fibrinogen depleting agents reduce fibrinogen in blood plasma, reduce blood viscosity and hence increase blood flow. This may help remove the blood clot blocking the artery and re-establish blood flow to the affected area of the brain after an ischaemic stroke. The risk of haemorrhage may be less than with thrombolytic agents. ⋯ Although ancrod appears to be promising, it is not possible to draw reliable conclusions from the available data.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewProstaglandins versus oxytocin for prelabour rupture of membranes at or near term.
The conventional method of induction of labour is with intravenous oxytocin. More recently, induction with prostaglandins, followed by an infusion of oxytocin if necessary, has been used. ⋯ Women with prelabour rupture of membranes at or near term having their labour induced with prostaglandins appear to have a lower risk of epidural analgesia and fetal heart rate monitoring. However there appears to be an increased risk of chorioamnionitis and nausea/vomiting with prostaglandins compared to oxytocin.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewElastic compression stockings for prevention of deep vein thrombosis.
One of the settings in which deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower limb and pelvic veins occurs is prolonged immobilisation in hospital for various surgical and medical illnesses. Use of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in these patients has been proposed to decrease the risk of DVT. ⋯ Analysis of these RCT's confirm that GCS are effective in diminishing the risk of DVT in hospitalised patients. Data examination also suggests, that GCS on a background of another method of prophylaxis is even more effective than GCS alone.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewFolic acid and folinic acid for reducing side effects in patients receiving methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis.
To assess the effects of folic acid and folinic acid in reducing the mucosal and gastrointestinal (GI) and haematologic side effects of low-dose of Methotrexate (MTX) in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to determine whether or not folate supplementation alters MTX efficacy. ⋯ The results support the protective effect of folate supplementation in reducing MTX side effects related to the oral and GI systems. We could not determine if folic was different from folinic acid. Therefore, for folinic acid to be considered cost-effective it must be found more effective than folic acid at reducing MTX side effects.
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Low back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems in modern societies. Proponents of massage therapy claim it can minimize pain and disability, and speed return to normal function. ⋯ Based on the studies reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to recommend massage as a stand-alone treatment for non-specific low back pain. There is a need for high quality controlled trials to further evaluate the effects of massage for this condition.