Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Heat and cold therapy are often used as adjuncts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by rehabilitation specialists. ⋯ Since patients enjoy thermotherapy, and there are no harmful effects, thermotherapy should be recommended as a therapy which can be applied at home as needed to relieve pain. There is no need for further research on the effects of heat or cold for RA.
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Artemisinin derivatives may have advantages over quinoline drugs for treating severe malaria since they are fast acting and effective against quinine resistant malaria parasites. ⋯ The evidence suggests that artemisinin drugs are no worse than quinine in preventing death in severe or complicated malaria. No artemisinin derivative appears to be better than the others.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
Review Comparative StudyDietary marine fatty acids (fish oil) for asthma.
Epidemiological studies suggest that a diet high in marine fatty acids (fish oil) may have beneficial effects on inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and possibly asthma. ⋯ There is little evidence to recommend that people with asthma supplement or modify their dietary intake of marine n-3 fatty acids (fish oil) in order to improve their asthma control. Equally, there is no evidence that they are at risk if they do so.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewChorion villus sampling versus amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis.
Amniocentesis test results are usually available only after 18 weeks gestation. Chorion villus sampling (CVS) may be performed transabdominally or transvaginally, usually between 10 and 12 weeks gestation. ⋯ The increase in miscarriages after chorion villus sampling compared to amniocentesis appear to be procedure related. Second trimester amniocentesis appears to be safer than chorion villus sampling. The benefits of earlier diagnosis with chorion villus sampling must be set against the greater risk of pregnancy loss.
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For patients with a diagnosis of vascular dementia there is evidence that aspirin is widely prescribed - in one study, completed by geriatricians and psychiatrists in the UK, 80% of patients with cognitive impairment (with vascular risk factors) were prescribed aspirin. However, a number of queries remain unanswered: Is there convincing evidence that aspirin benefits patients with vascular dementia? Does aspirin affect cognition or improve prognosis? In addition, does the risk of cerebral or gastric haemorrhage outweigh any benefit? ⋯ There is no evidence that aspirin is effective in treating patients with a diagnosis of vascular dementia. Further research is needed to assess the effect of aspirin on cognition, and on other outcomes such as behaviour, and quality of life. At present there is no evidence relating to other queries about the use of aspirin for dementia (these are described in the Background section of this review). The most recent search for references to relevant research was carried out in February 2000, but no new evidence was found.