Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2008
ReviewWITHDRAWN: Interventions for early stage Hodgkin's disease in children.
Hodgkin's disease is one of the most curable cancers in children, particularly at the early stages. However it is not clear which combinations of treatment strategies are most effective at maintaining high cure rates and minimising long term harmful effects or sequelae of treatment. ⋯ There is little evidence from randomised controlled trials to evaluate the consensus approach of short course chemotherapy and local radiotherapy, although no discernible difference in survival was detected between involved field and extended field radiotherapy in one randomised trial.
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In some countries extracts of the plant Hypericum perforatum L. (popularly called St. John's wort) are widely used for treating patients with depressive symptoms. ⋯ The available evidence suggests that the hypericum extracts tested in the included trials a) are superior to placebo in patients with major depression; b) are similarly effective as standard antidepressants; c) and have fewer side effects than standard antidepressants. The association of country of origin and precision with effects sizes complicates the interpretation.
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Heartburn is a common symptom in pregnancy affecting up to 80% of women in the third trimester. The reasons for the increase in symptoms in pregnancy are not well understood, but the effects of pregnancy hormones on the lower oesophageal sphincter and gastric clearance are thought to play a part. A range of interventions have been used to relieve symptoms including advice on diet and lifestyle, antacids, antihistamines, and proton pump inhibitors. The safety and effectiveness of these interventions to relieve heartburn in pregnancy have not been established. ⋯ There was little information to draw conclusions on the overall effectiveness of interventions to relieve heartburn in pregnancy.
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Among women with early breast cancer, the effects of ovarian ablation on recurrence and death have been assessed by several randomised trials that now have long follow-up. ⋯ In women aged under 50 with early breast cancer, ablation of functioning ovaries significantly improves long-term survival, at least in the absence of chemotherapy. Further randomised evidence is needed on the additional effects of ovarian ablation in the presence of other adjuvant treatments, and to assess the relevance of hormone-receptor measurements.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Oct 2008
Review Meta AnalysisLow molecular weight heparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients with lower-leg immobilization.
Immobilization of the lower leg is associated with venous thromboembolism. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant treatment which might be used in adult patients with lower-leg immobilization to prevent deep venous thrombosis and its complications. ⋯ Use of LMWH in outpatients significantly reduces VTE when immobilization of the lower leg is required.