Objective To calculate the typical time taken to complete protocols and reviews, to track how often reviews are updated and compare with Collaboration policies, to feed back any gaps in documentation of dates to individual Cochrane Collaborative Review Groups, and to suggest changes to presentation of reviews and to editorial processes.Methods Data were extracted either from The Cochrane Library or a specially constructed database to calculate the age of reviews and protocols, and the frequency of updating of reviews. Issue 1, 2003, with 1 596 reviews and 1 200 protocols, was used as the index issue.Results Median number of issues between a protocol and its completed review being published on The Cochrane Library is 5 (1.25 years). 65% of protocols have appeared on The Cochrane Library for no longer than two years, but the number of protocols more than two years old is probably increasing. One-third of reviews have been substantively updated, but generally only once and often within several months of the first publication of the review. The number of out-of-date reviews is probably increasing. Conclusions While the stage between publishing a protocol and the completed review is usually completed in no longer than two years, the number of out-of-date reviews and protocols requires continuing attention. How up-to-date a review is depends on when the evidence base was last searched and when additional relevant evidence has been integrated into the review. This needs to be reflected in the information provided to readers of Cochrane Reviews and some alternative ways of presenting the components of this information are given. More accurate and complete reporting will also allow the Collaboration to track progress against policy.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (Pro-GRP) in patients with small cell lung cancer. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and other databases (1966 to Sept 2009) to collect studies which evaluated the diagnostic value of Pro-GRP in patients with small cell lung cancer. The heterogeneity of the included studies was tested by the Cochrane Collaboration’s software RevMan 4.2. The Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) curve and meta-analyses were performed by MetaDisc. Results A total of 256 relevant articles were retrieved and 19 were included in our review. Eleven studies involving 1 447 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed that the heterogeneity among studies was high (P﹤0.000 01, I2=69.3%), the pooled sensitivity was 0.717 and the pooled specificity was 0.963. Subgroup analyses indicated that 9 of the studies which used the LD (Limited diseases) SCLC group (P=0.003, I2=65.5%, SEN=0.637, SPE=0.968, SROC AUC=0.724 3) had heterogeneity and ED (Extensive diseases) SCLC group (P=0.2, I2=27.0%, SEN=0.766, SPE=0.968, SROC AUC=0.935 5) had no heterogeneity. And 15 of the studies of Pro-GRP which were determined by acmmercial sandwich ELISA (Japan) group (P=0.000 1, I2=68.5%) had heterogeneity. Three of the studies of Pro-GRP which were determined by ELISA (Germany) group (P=0.948 7, I2=0.001%) had no heterogeneity. Conclusion Pro-GRP could be regarded as one of the reference tests in patients with small cell lung cancer, but higher quality trials are required.
Objective To assess effectiveness of chemotherapy versus non-chemotherapy in the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to Dec. 2008), EMBASE (1984 to Dec. 2008), OVID (1980 to Dec. 2008), CBMdisc (1980 to Dec. 2008), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We also handsearched Journal of Chinese Oncology, Journal of Chinese Clinical Oncology, and Tumor (from inception to Dec. 2008). The quality of the included studies was evaluated by two reviewers independently and meta-analysis was performed for results of the homogenous studies. Results Six studies involving 836 participants related to primary, high grade, nonmetastatic soft tissue sarcoma were included. All included studies were unclear in reporting randomization and blinding; all studies reported the number and the reason of withdraw; and baseline conditions of all studies were compared. The results of meta-analyses showed that there were no significant differences in 5-year overal survival (RR=0.90, 95%CI0.76 to 1.06), local recurrence (OR=0.69, 95%CI 0.36 to 1.32), distant recurrence (OR=0.83, 95%CI 0.62 to 1.11), and overall recurrence (RR=0.91, 95%CI 0.78 to 1.06) between the chemotherapy group and the control group. But as to 5-year disease-free survival, the chemotherapy group was better than the control group (RR=0.73, 95%CI 0.63 to 0.86). Conclusion There is no advantage for the chemotherapy group over the control group in 5-year overal survival, local recurrence, distant recurrence and overall recurrence. Due to the risk of selection bias, performance bias and published bias, the evidence is not b enough to judge whether chemotherapy is better than control in treating soft tissue sarcoma. Our conclusion suggests that larger-scale randomized trials should be performed in future.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of evidence-based medicine for improving core competencies of undergraduate medical students. Methods MEDLINE, ERIC, Academic Source Premier, Campbell Library databases and three Chinese Databases (CBM, CNKI, VIP) were searched from January 1992 to May 2009.We also used Google to searching related literature. The design is a systematic review of randomized, non-randomized, and before-after studies. Two reviewers did study selection, quality assessment, and data abstraction independently. Different opinions were resolved by consensus. We used an adaptation of the quality measure from Gemma Flores-Mateo et al to assess the quality of selected studies. And descriptive analysis was conducted. Results A total of 17 studies met the selection criteria, 2 of them were of high quality, the others were of moderate quality. Studies involved Competencies of Scientific Foundation of Medicine, Clinical Skills, and Management of Information. Conclusion Competencies of Scientific Foundation of Medicine, Clinical Skills, and Management of Information are improved by evidence-based medicine teaching. No study on professional values, attitudes, behavior and ethics, population health and health systems, management of information, critical thinking and research is available. It is impossible to assess the four domains above.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PPC) for chronic hepatitis. Methods We searched EMBASE (1980May,2003), MEDLINE(1966May,2003), CBM (1979May,2003), The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2003 and handsearched 8 related Chinese journals. Randomized controlled trials(RCT) comparing PPC versus placebo/no treatment for chronic hepatitis were included with no restrictions of blinding, language and publication. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and assessed the quality . Data were entered and analyzed by RevMan 4.2 software supplied by the Cochrane Collaboration .Results Six high quality trials involving 568 patients were included. Four studies involving 451 patients showed the clinical effective rate of PPC for chronic hepatitis was 52.5% while the control group was 37.5% with statistical difference [RR1.81,95%CI(1.41,2.33),Z=4.69, Plt;0.00001].A meta-analysis involving three studies with 100 patients showed the PPC can statically improve histopathology of chronic hepatitis comparing with control group [RR 2.58,95%CI (1.61,4.15),Z=3.91,Plt;0.0001].No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions PPC is a safe medicine used for treating chronic viral hepatitis and may relieve clinical symptoms and signs.At the same time ,it has positive effect on hepatic histopathology for patients .However ,more high quality clinical trials are required.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effectiveness and safety of intensive blood pressure lowering in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). MethodsRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs about ICH patients receiving intensive blood pressure lowering were searched from PubMed, EMbase, SCIE, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2013), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data until March, 2014. Literature was screened according to the exclusion and inclusion criteria by two reviewers independently and meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software after data extraction and quality assessment. ResultsA total of 24 studies were included involving 6 299 patients, of which 10 were RCTs and 14 were quasi-RCTs. The results of meta-analysis showed that intensive blood pressure lowering was superior to guideline-recommended intervention in reducing 24-h hematoma expansion rates (OR=0.36, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.46, P < 0.05), 24-h hematoma expansion volume (MD=-3.71, 95%CI-4.15 to-3.28, P < 0.05) and perihematomal edema volume (MD=-1.09, 95%CI-1.92 to-0.22, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, intensive blood pressure lowering improved 21-d NIHSS score (MD=-3.44, 95%CI-5.02 to-1.87, P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in mortality and adverse reaction between the two groups. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that intensive blood pressure lowering could reduce hematoma expansion volume and perihematomal edema volume, which is beneficial to recovery of neurological function, but ICH patients' long-term prognosis needs to be further studied. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of Shenfutuodu capsule in the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library （Issue 1 , 2005 ） , MEDLINE （1966 -2005） , EMBASE （1974-2005） , and some Chinese databases for additional articles （CBMdisc, CMCC, VIP, CNKI ） （1980-2005 ）. The quality of included randomized controlled trials was evaluated and meta-analysis was performed.Results Our initial search identified just three studies involving 293 patients met the inclusion criteria and were of higher quality. There was a statistical difference between Shenfutuodu capsule and clonidine groups on the fifth day in withdrawl symptom score with weight mean difference （WMD） -3.14 and 95% confidence interval （CI） -6.28 to -0.01. And no statistical difference was detected between the two groups in withdrawal symptom score on the 0th-4th day and the 6th-10th daywith WMD 58.45（95% CI 53.88 to 63.02）, -1. 15 （95% CI -5.69 to 3.40） , -0.42（95% CI -4.55 to 3.70）, -0.77（95%CI -4.37 to 2. 84）, -1.54（95%CI -4.78 to 1.69）, -1.76（95%CI -4.25 to0.74） , -1.74（95%CI -3.89 to0.41）, -1.24（95%CI -3.28 to0.80）, -0.52（95%CI -1.96 to0.92 ） and -0.27（95% CI -1.64 to 1.11 ） respectively. There was no statistical difference on effectiveness between the two groups on the third day with WMD 1.52, （95% CI 0.79 to 2.95）. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in HAMA score on the first , fifth and tenth day with WMD -0.55（95% CI -3.74 to 2.64） , 0.34 （95% CI -2.02 to 2.70） , 0. 63 （95% CI -0.21 to 1.47 ） respectively. There was a statistical difference between the two groups in dizziness rate with RR 0.73 （95% CI 0.62 to 0.87 ） . No statistical difference was detected between the two groups in dry mouth with RR 1.11（95% CI 0.95 to 1.29） , somnolence with RR 0.99（95% CI 0.82 to 1.21） , and blurred vision with RR 0.92（95% CI 0.70 to 1.19）. Statistical difference was detected between the two groups in side effect score on the second day with WMD -1.26 （95% CI -2.40 to -0. 12 ）. No statistical difference was detected between the two groups in side effect score on the first day, the third to tenth day with WMD -0.55 （ 95% CI -1.48 to0.38）, -0.63 （95%CI -1.67 to0.42）, -0.84 （95%CI -1.77 to0.09）, -0.29 （95%CI -1.09 to 0.51）, 0.15 （95% CI -0.52 to 0.81）, 0. 22 （95% CI -0.22 to 0.67）, 0.09（95% CI -0.25 to 0.44）, 0.03 （95% CI -0.21 to 0.27） , -0.03 （95% CI -0.33 to 0.26） respectively. Conclusions Based on the current evidence, Shenfutuodu capsule may be an effective and safe drug or abstinence of drug addiction. More well designed randomized controlled trials are required .