Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
ReviewVitamin K antagonists or low-molecular-weight heparin for the long term treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism.
People with venous thromboembolism are generally treated for five days with intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin followed by three months of vitamin K antagonists treatment. Treatment with vitamin K antagonists requires regular laboratory measurements and some patients have contraindications for treatment. ⋯ Low-molecular-weight heparins are possibly as effective as vitamin K antagonists in preventing symptomatic venous thromboembolism after an episode of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis, but are much more expensive. Treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin is significantly safer than treatment with vitamin K antagonists and is possibly a safe alternative in some patients; especially those in geographically inaccessible places, reluctant to visit the thrombosis service regularly, or with contraindications to vitamin K antagonists. However, treatment with vitamin K antagonists remains the treatment of choice for the majority of patients.
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Acupuncture and related techniques are promoted as a treatment for smoking cessation in the belief that they may reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. ⋯ There is no clear evidence that acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy or electrostimulation are effective for smoking cessation.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisBuprenorphine maintenance versus placebo or methadone maintenance for opioid dependence.
Buprenorphine has recently been reported to be an alternative to methadone and LAAM for maintenance treatment of opioid dependent individuals, differing results are reported concerning its relative effectiveness indicating the need for an integrative review. ⋯ Buprenorphine is an effective intervention for use in the maintenance treatment of heroin dependence, but it is not more effective than methadone at adequate dosages.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisLaparoscopic surgery for subfertility associated with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands or stroma in sites other than the uterine cavity. It is variable in both its surgical appearance and clinical manifestation often with poor correlation between the two. Surgical treatment of endometriosis aims to remove visible areas of endometriosis and restore anatomy by division of adhesions. ⋯ The use of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of minimal and mild endometriosis may improve success rates. The relevant trials have some methodological problems and further research in this area is needed.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2002
Review Meta AnalysisDeep transverse friction massage for treating tendinitis.
Deep transverse friction massage (DTFM) is one of several physiotherapy interventions suggested for the management of tendinitis pain. ⋯ DTFM combined with other physiotherapy modalities did not show consistent benefit over the control of pain, or improvement of grip strength and functional status for patients with ITBFS or for patients with ECRT. These conclusions are limited by the small sample size of the included RCTs. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the use or non use of DTFM for the treatment of ITBFS. Future trials, utilizing specific ITBFS methods and adequate sample sizes are needed, before conclusions can be drawn regarding the specific effect of DTFM on tendinitis.