Medwave
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Review Meta Analysis
Are cannabinoids effective for treatment of pain in patients with active cancer?
Cannabinoids have been proposed for the treatment of patients with cancer pain, especially if standard treatment does not control symptoms. Using Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by searching 30 databases, we identified nine systematic reviews including seven trials that answer the question of interest, of which six are randomized trials. We performed a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. We concluded it is unclear whether cannabinoids decrease pain and improve quality of life in patients with refractory cancer pain because the certainty of the evidence is very low, and it probably increases adverse effects substantially.
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Review Multicenter Study
What is the role of corticosteroids in the management of sepsis?
During an episode of sepsis, the systemic inflammatory response phenomenon triggers a deficit in the action and/or secretion of cortisol. It has been suggested that the use of corticosteroids may have a role in the management of sepsis, but there is no consensus. ⋯ We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings following the GRADE approach. We concluded the use of corticosteroids during a sepsis episode probably favors reversal of shock, briefly shortens the stay in intensive care unit and might reduce mortality, with few clinically relevant adverse effects.
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We performed a narrative review about psychological disorders in adults with Takotsubo syndrome and inherited cardiomyopathies. Through the electronic database PubMed and PsycINFO we searched all relevant related manuscripts published between 2000 and 2015. We found twelve studies that explore psychological disorders in Takotsubo syndrome and eight about inherited cardiomyopathies: five enrolled patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, two dilated cardiomyopathy, and one arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. ⋯ Nearby half hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients report triggering of chest pain, dyspnea, and dizziness by emotional stress. Due to the small number of studies, conclusions are limited. However, we discuss some results.
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Meta Analysis
Should we add vancomycin antibiotic powder to prevent post operative infection in spine surgery? - First update.
This Living FRISBEE (Living FRIendly Summary of the Body of Evidence using Epistemonikos) is an update of the summary published in June 2015, based on the detection of a new systematic review not identified in the previous version. Intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis is routinely administered to prevent surgical site infection in spinal surgery. Adding intrawound vancomycin powder before surgical closure might further decrease infection risk. ⋯ Searching in Epistemonikos database, which is maintained by screening 30 databases, we identified seven systematic reviews that considered 16 studies, including one randomized controlled trial. We combined the evidence using meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table following the GRADE approach. We concluded vancomycin probably does not decrease the risk of infection in low risk surgery, but there is uncertainty about its effects in populations or surgeries with a higher risk because the certainty of the evidence is very low.
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Review Case Reports
[Stercoral perforation of the colon: case report and literature review].
Colon perforation has several causes, including stercoral perforation of the colon, which was first described in 1894. Currently, reported cases are fewer than 100. ⋯ Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare cause of bowel perforation, which should be suspected in patients with a history of chronic constipation, acute abdominal pain, bloating and sepsis, in order to intervene in a timely fashion.