BMJ open
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Review Meta Analysis
Placebo effects in trials evaluating 12 selected minimally invasive interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To analyse the impact of placebo effects on outcome in trials of selected minimally invasive procedures and to assess reported adverse events in both trial arms. ⋯ The generally small differences in ES between active treatment and sham suggest that non-specific mechanisms, including placebo, are major predictors of the observed effects. Adverse events related to sham procedures were mainly minor and short-lived. Ethical arguments frequently raised against sham-controlled trials were generally not substantiated.
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Review Meta Analysis
Lung protective ventilation in patients undergoing major surgery: a systematic review incorporating a Bayesian approach.
Protective ventilation (PV) has been validated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the effect of PV in patients undergoing major surgery is controversial. The study aimed to explore the beneficial effect of PV on patients undergoing a major operation by systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ The study demonstrates that PV can reduce the risk of ALI in patients undergoing major surgery. However, there is insufficient evidence that such a beneficial effect can be translated to more clinically relevant outcomes such as mortality or duration of MV.
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Review Meta Analysis
Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression.
To review the efficacy of cognitive interventions on improving general cognition in dementia. ⋯ CS improves scores on MMSE and ADAS-Cog in dementia, but benefits on the ADAS-Cog are generally not clinically significant and difficulties with blinding of patients and use of adequate placebo controls make comparison with the results of dementia drug treatments problematic.
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Review Meta Analysis
EXPERTS 1-experiences of long-term life-limiting conditions among patients and carers: protocol for a qualitative meta-synthesis and conceptual modelling study.
Increasing numbers of the population are living with long-term life-limiting conditions with a significant proportion characterised by multimorbidity. Patients with these conditions often experience high volumes of clinical interaction involving them, their caregivers and healthcare providers in complex patterns of organising, coordinating, negotiating and managing care. A better understanding of the sources of experienced complexity and multimorbidity, from the patient perspective is paramount to improve capacity and manage workload to promote improved experience of illness, more effective healthcare utilisation and improved healthcare outcomes. To better understand the sources of complexity we will undertake an evidence synthesis of qualitative studies of patient and informal carer experiences of three common long-term life-limiting conditions. We will investigate what is known about these diseases at different stages in disease progression, treatment regimens and places of care. ⋯ No human subjects or personal data are involved and no ethical issues are anticipated. An important element of dissemination is informing user communities about the practical implications of the work through workshops, meetings and social media. Scientific results will be published in peer reviewed journals and disseminated through conferences.
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Review Meta Analysis
Usefulness of natriuretic peptide for the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To examine the diagnostic value of serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in acute Kawasaki disease (KD). ⋯ Current evidence suggests that NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool for KD. NT-proBNP has high diagnostic value for identifying KD in patients with protracted undifferentiated febrile illness. Prospective large cohort studies are needed to help determine best cut-off values and further clarify the role of NT-proBNP in the diagnosis process of KD.