ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of 24-hour ambulatory pulse pressure (24hPP) with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in elderly essential hypertension patients. MethodsThe data of 110 elderly patients with essential hypertension from January to December 2012 were collected in the study. All patients received 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echoeardiographic examination 24hPP and LVMI were calculated according to the results of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiographic measurements. The patients were divided into group A [24hPP<60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), n=70] and group B (24hPP≥60 mm Hg, n=40). ResultsThe 24-hour systolic blood pressure and 24hPP for patients in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.001). Compared with group A patients, the interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index were significantly higher in group B (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that 24hPP had a positive correlation with LVMI in the elderly essential hypertension patients (r=0.33, P<0.001). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that 24hPP was the main factor for the increase of LVMI in elderly essential hypertension patients (β=0.90, P<0.001). ConclusionThe 24hPP is positively correlated with LVMI in elderly essential hypertension patients. The 24hPP is an important risk factor for left ventricular structural damage in elderly essential hypertensive patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological bias and the reliability of the conclusions of systematic reviews (SRs) about traditional Chinese medicine for essential hypertension. MethodsWe comprehensively searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane library (Issue 4, 2014), CBM, CNKI and WanFang Data to collect SRs of traditional Chinese medicine for essential hypertension from the establishment time of databases to April 30th, 2014. The AMSTAR tool was applied for methodological quality assessment of included studies, and the GRADE system was applied for evidence quality assessment of included outcomes of SRs. ResultsA total of 12 SRs involving 31 outcomes were included, of which 11 SRs focused on the comparison of therapeutic effects between traditional Chinese medicine combined with western medicine and western medicine alone. Nine SRs adopted Jadad tool to assess methodological quality of included original studies. The results of assessment using AMSTAR showed that, among 11 items, there were the most problems concerning Item 1 "Was an 'a prior' design provided?" (none of the 12 SRs provided it); followed by Item 11 "Were potential conflict of interest included?" (nine SRs didn't described it), and Item 6 "Were the characteristics of included studies provided" (six SRs didn't provided it). The results of grading showed that, 29 outcomes were graded as "low" or "very low" quality. The main factors contributed to downgrading evidence quality were limitations (31 outcomes), followed by imprecision (12 outcomes), and inconsistency (13 outcomes). ConclusionCurrently, the methodological quality of SRs about traditional Chinese medicine for essential hypertension was poor on the whole, with low quality of evidence as well as lack of enough attention to the end outcomes of patients with essential hypertension. Thus, physicians should apply the evidence to make decision about traditional Chinese medicine for essential hypertension with caution in clinical practice.
Objective To compare the national essential medicines list (EML) and national essential insurance medicine list (EIML) of China with that of the WHO, so as to provide reasonable evidence for the adjustment of new EML and EIML of China. Methods The similarities and differences in the selection, updating, categories, subcategories and the amounts of medicines in the EML and EIML of China and the WHO EML were compared and analyzed. Results There are some differences among the three lists in selecting principles, updating of medicines .The latest version of WHO EML (version in 2007) has 27 categories, including 340 medicines; China EML (version in 2004) has 23 categories and 773 western medicines, containing 23 categories and 225 (66.17%) similar medicines of WHO EML, which accounts for 29.11% of EML of China. China EIML (version in 2005) has 23 categories and 1 031 western medicines, containing 22 categories and 227 (66.76%) of WHO EML, which accounts for 22.02% of EIML of China. China EIML was developed based on China EML. There is little difference in selecting, updating, categories of medicines. Conclusion The difference was obviously found in medicine selection, updating and categories between China EML, EIML and WHO EML. We suggested that our national EML and EIML should be more reasonably selected and updated base on the principals of WHO EML.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for diabetes mellitus based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) Six guidelines were included, three of which were evidence-based and published from 2006 to 2011. (2) Five recommended medicines were included according to recommendations and evidence of WHOEML (2011), NEML (2009), CNF (2010) and other guidelines. They were metformin, glibenclamide, glipizide, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Domestic evidence of the first three drugs was evaluated. (3) The first three have been marketed with the specifications and dosage forms corresponding to guidelines in China. The FBG cost-effectiveness ratios of metformin with different dosage forms as immediate release compressed tablet, enteric-coated tablet and sustained release capsule were 3.37, 3.76 and 3.50 respectively. 2-hour BG cost-effectiveness ratios of metformin were 3.74, 4.00 and 3.71 respectively. The cost-effectiveness ratio of glibenclamide and glimepiride were 11.23 and 13.81 respectively. Conclusion We offer a recommendation for: (1) Metformin (immediate release tablet/capsule for oral use, 0.25 g), contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency. (2) Glibenclamide (tablet, 2.5 mg; capsule, 1.75 mg) and glipizide (tablet, 2.5 or 5mg; dispersible tablet, 5 mg), contraindicated in children, women during pregnancy or lactation, patients in the perioperative period of major operation, patients after total pancreatectomy, and patients allergic or adversely reacted to sulfa drug. (3) Evidence-based and standardized primary healthcare guidelines as well as clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies on diabetes mellitus (large-scale, multi-centre, randomized and double-blinded) are needed to produce high-quality local evidence.
ObjectivesTo investigate the utilization of essential medicines and antibiotics in primary healthcare system of Xinjin county of Chengdu city from 2009 to 2011. MethodsThe data of utilization of all the medicines, essential medicines and antibiotics was collected from 17 hospitals of Xinjin primary healthcare system. Microsoft Excel 2003 was used to analyze the data. ResultsCompared with 2009, the total costs of medicines and essential medicines increased by 72.27% and 135.4% respectively in 2010. After the implementation of essential medicine policy in 2010, the proportion of essential medicines accounted for more than 90% in community healthcare centers (CHCs) and township hospitals (THs) and over 50% in county-level hospitals in 2011. In 2010, the average cost per prescription among outpatients increased by 3.51% in total, but deceased by 16.23% in CHCs/THs (RMB 15.09 yuan per prescription). In July of 2011, the policy to control the use of antibiotics was implemented in Xinjin county. The use of antibiotics decreased, but still accounted for over 30% in 9 out of 13 CHCs/THs. The use of bigeminy antibiotics and trigeminy antibiotics accounted for 0.42 to 5.56% and 0 to 0.44%, respectively. ConclusionsThe use of essential medicines increases in Xinjin county and met the national requirements. The average cost per prescription among outpatient decreases in THs and CHCs. After controlling the use of antibiotics, the proportion and cost of antibiotics is still very high, and irrational use of antibiotics probably still exists. The training and guide for evidence-based rational use of medicine should be enhanced in future.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) using evidence-based methods based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) Eleven guidelines were included (nine foreign guidelines, two domestic guidelines; nine based on evidence, two based on expert consensus). For CAP, amoxicillin amp; clavulanate potassium had efficiencies of 77.1% and an incidence of 18.8% as to adverse reaction that mainly included gastrointestinal reaction, skin rashes, etc. Piperacillin/tazobactam had an efficiency of 92.1% and a bacterial clearance rate of 88.9%. Cefuroxime had an efficiency of 89% and a bacterial clearance rate of 85.5%. There was no statistical significance between azithromycin and cefuroxime for CAP (RR=0.98, 95%CI 0.9 to 1.06); however, azithromycin was superior to cefuroxime in shortening fever-relief time (MD=–0.98, 95%CI –1.24 to –0.55) and cough-relief time (MD=–1.36, 95%CI –1.94 to –0.78). Efficiencies of ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, moxifloxacin and lavofloxacin were all more than 80% and among the three, moxifloxacin was the most efficient (RR=1.08, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.13, P=0.004). Meropenem had an efficiency of 90%, a bacterial clearance rate of 83.3% and an incidence of 3.33% as to adverse reaction that mainly included diarrhea. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for antibiotics such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin amp; clavulanate potassium, ampicillin/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, doxycycline, azithromycin, clarithromycin, cefuroxim, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, lavofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ertapenem, meropenem, imipenem and vancocin. (2) We offer a weak recommendation for penicillin G, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. (3) We propose that doctor should choose optimal antibiotics based on commonly-seen pathogenic bacteria that cause CAP, local criteria of antibiotic susceptibility, severity of CAP, and risk factors of patients.
Objective To investigate influence factors of childhood essential hypertension and provide scientific evidence for prevention and management of the disease. Methods Relevant studies were searched using PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ovid, CNKI and VIP from January 2007 to December 2011. STATA 11 was applied for meta-analysis. After heterogeneity analysis, influence factors (OR with 95%CI) were estimated using fixed or random effect models. Sensitivity analyses were used for evaluating the robustness of the results. Publication bias was assessed by Egger’s test and funnel plot. Results A total of 13 studies involving 4 278 cases and 37 230 controls were included. The pooled OR and its 95%CI of different factors associated with hypertension among children were: gender (male) 1.283 (1.063 to 1.549), age 1.013 (0.975 to 1.052), overweight 2.622 (1.985 to 3.464), obesity 3.730 (2.299 to 6.051), waist circumstance 1.060 (1.036 to 1.085), family history 1.189 (0.956 to 1.480), and frequency of physical activities 0.584 (0.460 to 0.742). Conclusion Current results indicate that gender (male), overweight, obesity, waist circumstance are risk factors of hypertension among children, while frequency of physical activities is protective factor.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) using evidence-based methods based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) Five guidelines were included (four foreign guidelines, one domestic guideline; three based on evidence, two based on expert consensus). (2) Medicines recommended at least twice by the National Essential Medicine List (NEML, 2009 version) and Chinese National Formulary (CNF) contained: ipratropium bromide (four times), amoxicillin amp; clavulanate potassium (three times), and corticosteroid (three times), cefuroxime (twice), ciprofloxacin (twice), levofloxacin (twice), salbutamol (twice) and dextromethorphan (twice). (3) As for domestic study evidence, a result of one RCT indicated that amoxicillin amp; clavulanate potassium had efficiencies of 92.3% to 94.7% (n=77, low quality). A result of three RCTs (n=275, low quality) indicated that cefuroxime had efficiencies of 67.6% to 90% and an incidence of 5% as to adverse reaction that mainly included skin rashes, diarrhea, etc. A result of two RCTs (n=120, low quality) indicated that ciprofloxacin had efficiencies of 78.3% to 86.6%, bacterial clearance rates of 72.7% to 86.5% and the incidences of 8.7% to 16.2% as to adverse reaction that mainly included gastrointestinal reaction, skin rashes, etc. A result of seven RCTs (n=523, low quality) indicated that levofloxacin had efficiencies of 72.5% to 94.5%, bacterial clearance rates of 82.1% to 95.8% and the incidences of 5% to 7.5% as to adverse reaction. A result of two RCTs (n=239, low quality) indicated that salbutamol had efficiencies of 85.4% to 96.7%. A result of one RCT (n=95, low quality) indicated that ipratropium bromide had efficiencies of 98%. A result of five RCTs (n=466, low quality) indicated that the combined use of budesonide and bronchodilators had efficiencies of 93.4% to 97.8%. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for cefuroxime, amoxicillin amp; clavulanate potassium, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin used in the treatment of AECB. (2) We offer a b recommendation for glucocorticoid (budesonide, aerosol) and anticholinergic bronchodilator (ipratropium bromide) and a weak recommendation for short-acting β2-agonist bronchodilator (salbutamol) and antitussive agent (dextromethorphan) for alleviating symptoms due to AECB. (3) We make a recommendation against mucolytic agents and theophylline as routine use. (4) More large-scale, multi-center, double-blinded RCTs are needed in clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies on AECB and outcome indicator should be improved in order to produce high-quality local evidence.
ObjectiveTo get known of the knowing and utilization of essential public health services among community residents for clinical visits in Nanchang city, and to provide evidence for promoting the effective use of public health services. MethodsA total of 20 community health services (CHS) organizations were finally selected by stratified random sampling method from 5 administrative regions in Nanchang city. Questionnaire survey about the knowing and utilization of public health services was performed to the 500 residents. We used EpiData 3.0 software to establish the database and SPSS 17.0 software for statistical analysis. ResultsThe awareness rate about essential public health services among them was 77.6% in Nanchang, which was highest to 91.0% in Wanli district and lowest to 47.0% in Xihu district. The differences between the administrative regions were significant (χ2=75.893, P=0.000). The archiving rate in CHS organizations among visits was 59.2%, which was up to 84.0% in Wanli district and lowest to 40.0% in Qingshanhu district. It also showed statistical significance between the regions (χ2=110.493, P=0.000). The total utilization rate about essential public health services was 95.8% in the population, which was no significant difference between the regions (χ2=7.772, P=0.100). However, the utilization rate in different populations was statistically significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe awareness rate and archiving rate about essential public health services among the residents in CHS organizations in Nanchang was not high, but the utilization rate was much higher, which was different among the administrative regions. The CHS organizations should strengthen the publicizing of essential public health services knowledge for the people in different regions to improve the co-development of the regions. In addition, it is also necessary to improve the use of community health services among the populations to achieve the goal about the equalization of essential public health services.