H7N9, a novel avian influenza A virus that causes human infections emerged in February, 2013 in Anhui and Shanghai, China. The epidemic quickly spread to Zhejiang, Jiangsu and other neighbor provinces. As of May 30th, 2013, WHO had reported 132 cases, 37 (28%) of which died. Aiming at such serious outbreak of epidemic, we retrospectively analyzed its etiology, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, prevention and control based on data and evidence. Experience and evidence of the risk surveillance and management of such a novel anthropozoonosis lacks in China, or even lacks around the world. Quick and accurate identification of the rules and of the variation and transmission of avian influenza virus becomes a key to prevention, control and treatment. According to current best available evidence around the world, Chinese medicine and biomedicine should be put in to parallel use. Only realizing evidence-based decision making can we effectively prevent and control the epidemic, treat patients, and reduce the loss.
Objective To evaluate the trends, dominant diseases and clinical outcomes of the global interventional therapy for tumors based on evidence, so as to provide references for standard access of interventional technology. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and VIP were electronically and comprehensively searched for relevant clinical or fundamental studies about interventional therapy for tumors from inception to September, 2012. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted data. Then, descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 and Microsoft Excel 2003 software. Results Totally, 4 544 studies were included, consisting of 4 136 (91.0%) clinical studies and 408 (9.0%) fundamental studies. These clinical studies including 155 systematic reviews (SRs), 338 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 1 191 clinical controlled trials (CCTs), and 2 451 case series or case reports (CSs/CRs). Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) were the most clinically frequenly-used interventional technologies for tumors, accounting for 32.6% and 17.1% of the total, respectively. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the dominant tumor, which was mentioned in 99 SRs (57.6%), 198 RCTs (58.6%), 824 CCTs (69.1%) and 1 191 CSs/CRs (48.6%), following by colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treating HCC resulted in a higher rate of 3-year survival (12 SRs/Meta-analyses) and lower recurrence (10 SRs/Meta-analyses) compared with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). Compared with hepatic resection (HR), RFA treating HCC resulted in lower rates of 3-year (11 SRs/Meta-analyses) and 5-year survival (9 SRs/Meta-analyses), and no significant difference was found in 1-year survival between the two groups (17 SRs/Meta-analyses). Preoperative TACE before HR or liver transplantation could not improve the survival for patients with advanced HCC (6 SRs/Meta-analyses), but postoperative TACE might prolong the 1-and 3-year survival (3 SRs/Meta-analyses). TACE combined with other interventional therapy (i.e., RFA, PEI) could also prolong the survival of HCC patients. For the treatment of uterine leiomyoma, uterine artery embolization (UAE) resulted in less hospital duration or operative time, and it caused a higher re-intervention rate, compared with surgery, but it lacked long-term outcomes. Conclusion Interventional therapy is an optional and promising technology for patients with tumors. We should well-consider currently available best clinical evidence as well as local medical facilities or skill level when applying them to clinical practice, so as to perform relevant interventional techniques with scientific, rational and standardized methods.
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.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for acute bronchitis 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) Eight guidelines were included (seven foreign guidelines, one domestic guideline; five based on evidence, three based on expert consensus). (2) A result of six RCTs (n=816, low quality) indicated that pentoxyverine had efficiencies of 53% to 82% for cough relief. Among the six RCTs, a result of three RCTs (n=283) indicated that pentoxyverine was slightly less efficient than procaterol (RR=0.86, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.94, P=0.001); a result of two RCTs (n=233) indicated that pentoxyverine was slightly less efficient than Chinese medicinals decoction (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.74 to 0.91, Plt;0.001). Adverse reaction of pentoxyverine (incidence: 0% to 2.4%) mainly covered nausea, palpitation, etc. Pentoxyverine cost 0.20 yuan (for adult) or 0.08 yuan (for child) daily, which was orally taken and applicable to the target population. (3) A result of six RCTs (n=403, low quality) indicated that the efficiencies of dextromethorphan for cough relief was 47.0% to 95.3%. Among the six RCTs, a result of one RCT (n=283) indicated that dextromethorphan hydrobromide (nasal drop) was more efficient than blank intervention (RR=3.71, 95%CI 1.91 to 7.21); a result of one RCT (n=43) indicated that dextromethorphan (for oral use) was more efficient than placebo (RR=1.74, 95%CI 1.13 to 2.66); a result of one RCT (n=300, moderate quality) indicated that dextromethorphan was more efficient than pentoxyverine (RR=1.16, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.26); a result of one observational study (n=121, low quality) indicated that dextromethorphan given for 5 days had an efficiency of 66.5%. Adverse reaction of dextromethorphan (incidence: 2% to 30%) mainly covered mouth dryness, dizziness, nausea, etc. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for dextromethorphan used in relieving dry cough due to acute bronchitis. (2) We offer a weak recommendation for pentoxyverine as symptomatic treatment for cough relief. (3) We make a recommendation against antibiotics, β2-agonist bronchodilators and mucolytic agents as routine use. (4) More large-scale, multi-center, double-blinded RCTs are needed in clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies of acute bronchitis in hopes of producing high-quality local evidence.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for herniated lumbar disc based on the burden of disease for township health centers located in eastern, central and western regions of China. 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 clinical guidelines on herniated lumbar disc were included, five of which were evidence-based. (2) In total, there were 35 medicines (of four classes) listed in the guidelines. (3) We offer a b recommendation for paracetamol and ibuprofen as essential medicine and a weak recommendation for aspirin, indometacin and diazepam according to WHOEML (2011), NEML (2009), CNF (2010), clinical guidelines and the quantity and quality of evidence. (4) Five recommended medicines have been marketed in China with the dosage forms and specifications corresponding to guidelines and their prices were affordable (0.31 to 3.38 yuan daily). (5) Results of domestic low-quality studies indicated that ibuprofen and aspirin were effective with efficiencies of 63% to 84.5%; however, both of which were less effective than other trial medicines (efficiencies: 88.60% to 95.2%). We didn’t find any efficacy or pharmacoeconomic evidence of other medicines in Chinese literature databases. Conclusion (1) Pharmacotherapy should focus on symptomatic treatment of herniated lumbar disc. (2) We offer a b recommendation for paracetamol and ibuprofen used in the treatment of herniated lumbar disc and a weak recommendation for aspirin, indometacin and diazepam. (3) There is lack of evidence and high-quality guidelines on pharmacotherapy of lumbar intervertebral disc in China, especially pharmacoeconomic evidence. (4) We propose that guidelines should be established in basis of evidence so as to effectively direct clinical treatment. The effect of medicine in clinical practice should be based on current evidence from inside and outside China.