Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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To estimate the short-term efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Twenty-two percent of people on MTX withdrew due to adverse effects compared to seven percent of the placebo group. MTX has a substantial clinically and statistically significant benefit in the short term treatment of patients with RA.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors versus tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepressants: comparison of drug adherence.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are thought to have better discontinuation rates (i.e. less people dropping out) than tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepressant drugs. It is important to quantify the drop-out rates of different antidepressant drugs in order to have a better understanding of the relative tolerability of these drugs. ⋯ Whilst selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors do appear to show an advantage over tricyclic drugs in terms of total drop-outs, this advantage is relatively modest. This has implications for pharmaco-economic models, some of which may have overestimated the difference of drop-out rates between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antdepressants. These results are based on short-term randomised controlled trials, and may not generalise into clinical practice.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewProphylactic doxapram for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants undergoing endotracheal extubation.
When preterm infants have been given intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) for respiratory failure, weaning from support and tracheal extubation may be difficult. A significant contributing factor is thought to be the relatively poor respiratory effort and tendency to develop hypoventilation and apnea, particularly in very preterm infants. Doxapram stimulates breathing and appears to act via stimulation of both the peripheral chemoreceptors and the central nervous system. This effect might increase the chance of successful tracheal extubation. ⋯ The evidence does not support the routine use of doxapram to assist endotracheal extubation in preterm infants who are eligible for methylxanthine and/or CPAP. The results should be interpreted with caution because the small number of infants studied does not allow reliable assessment of the benefits and harms of doxapram. Further trials are required to evaluate the benefits and harms of doxapram compared with no treatment or with other treatments, such as methylxanthines or CPAP, to evaluate whether it is more effective in infants not responding to these other treatments, and to assess whether the drug is effective when given orally.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewEmollient ointment for preventing infection in preterm infants.
This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. ⋯ In two small studies, prophylactic application of emollient ointment decreased transepidermal water loss, decreased the severity of dermatitis, and decreased the risk of suspect sepsis and proven sepsis. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate these results.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewInterventions for promoting adherence to tuberculosis management.
Up to half the people with tuberculosis do not complete their treatment. Strategies to improve adherence to treatment can be targeted at the person with the disease or at health workers. ⋯ We have found evidence of benefit for a number of specific interventions to improve adherence to anti-tuberculous therapy and completion of diagnostic protocols. These should be implemented by health care providers where appropriate to local circumstances. Future studies in low income countries are a priority and should measure adherence as well as clinical outcomes.