ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of promoting neonatal resuscitation technique in treatment of neonatal asphyxia in China. MethodsElectronical databases including WanFang Data, CNKI, VIP, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Literature Information Center, PubMed and The Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2016) were searched to collect studies of neonatal resuscitation technique in treatment of neonatal asphyxia up to June 1st, 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk bias of included studies, and then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of eighteen observational studies were included, involving 28 144 cases of neonatal asphyxia and 32 636 cases of control, 2 148 death cases of neonatal asphyxia and 1 679 cases of controls. The results of meta-analysis showed that neonatal resuscitation technique could reduce newborn suffocation rate compared with the control group in hospital surveys (RR=0.59, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.63, P<0.000 01) and in regional project surveys (RR=0.72, 95%CI 0.69 to 0.75, P<0.000 01). Neonatal resuscitation could also reduce neonatal asphyxia mortality rate in hospital surveys (RR=0.26, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.42, P<0.000 01) and in regional surveys (RR=0.65, 95%CI 0.55 to 0.77, P<0.000 01). ConclusionThe existing evidence shows that neonatal resuscitation technology could effectively reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia and mortality rate in China. Due to the limitations of the quantity and quality of present studies, we need to carry out prospective multicenter cohort studies to verify the current results.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy of mirror therapy for phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain in amputee. MethodsDatabases include PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 9, 2015), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about mirror therapy for phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain in amputee from inception to 1st Sept. 2015. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then metaanalysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 5 RCTs involving 129 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, there was no significant difference between the mirror therapy group and the control group in relieving the phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain in amputee (MD=-7.29, 95%CI -27.73 to 13.16, P=0.48). ConclusionMirror therapy could improve the control of phantom limb, however, there is no sufficient evidence to support the effect of mirror therapy on pain management in amputee. The long-term effect of mirror therapy is still under exploration. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, larger-sample, high quality designed RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To evaluate prognostic impact of treatment with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or upper airway surgery on the patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Database search in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, OVID and CBM (from establishment dates to October 2009) were conducted. Cohort studies and randomized controlled trials of OSA with CPAP or upper airway surgery in CHD patients were identified. We assessed the quality of the included trials and extracted the relevant data. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 4.3.2 software. Results A total of 4 cohort studies involving 945 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis were as follows: a) there were no significant differences in the rate of late lumen loss and 10-year mortality between CHD patients with OSA treated by CPAP and those without OSA (RR=1.84, 95%CI 0.73 to 4.68, P=0.20; RR=0.80, 95%CI 0.24 to 2.64, P=0.71). b) CPAP or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty used in the treatment of OSA on CHD patients after PCI had a significant decrease in the rate of 5-year cardiac death when compared with those untreated OSA patients (RR=0.34, 95%CI 0.14 to 0.82, P=0.02). But there were no differences in the rate of 5-year all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between the two groups respectively (RR=0.66, 95%CI 0.39 to 1.10, P=0.11; RR=0.97, 95%CI 0.81 to 1.15, P=0.69). c) CPAP or upper airway surgery in treating OSA significantly reduced the risk of MACE occurrence during the 86.5±39 months follow-up period (RR=0.22, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.72, P=0.01). Conclusion Current evidence indicates that treating OSA with CPAP or upper airway surgery in CHD patients might be associated with a decrease in the risk of cardiac death. But more studies are necessary to evaluate prognostic impact of treatment with CPAP or upper airway surgery on the patients with OSA and CHD. However, due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are need.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment with Fuzheng Huayu capsule for liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials (CCTR), CBMweb and CNKI up to March 2008. The references of retrieved literature were also hand searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared Fuzheng Huayu capsule with placebo or other drugs were collected. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. The Cochrane Collaboration’ s software RevMan 4.2.10 was used for data analyses. Results Seven RCTs involving 590 cases of liver fibrosis of CHB were included. As for their methodological quality, one was graded A, one was graded B and the others were graded C. We carried out subgroup analyses based on treatment course and intervention measures. In terms of reducing haluronic acid, Fuzheng Huayu capsule was more effective than Huoluo Shugan capsule when the treatment course was 3 months (WMD=–61.75, 95%CI –105.20 to –18.30); significant differences were also noted between Fuzheng Huayu capsule and placebo (WMD=–187.72, 95%CI –244.23 to –31.21) or Huoluo Shugan capsule (WMD=–120.03, 95%CI –158.41 to –81.65) when the treatment course was 6 months. In terms of reducing IV-C, Fuzheng Huayu capsule was more effective than Gantaile when the treatment course was 6 months (WMD=–72.32, 95%CI –84.30 to –60.34). As for improving liver fibrosis at stage S, significant differences were observed between Fuzheng Huayu capsule and Gantaile (RR=2.33, 95%CI 1.37 to 3.96) or Huoluo Shugan capsule (RR=1.30, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.65). Except a very small number of gastrointestinal reactions, no significant adverse reactions were reported. Conclusion Fuzheng Huayu capsule is effective in reducing haluronic acid and improving liver fibrosis at stage S, especially when the treatment course is prolonged from 3 months to 6 months. No significant adverse reactions are reported. Because most of the included trials are of poor quality and small sample size, more high-quality RCTs are needed.
The most important difference between systematic review and traditional narrative review lies in their respective quality, namely the degree of bias control. Generally speaking, the sources of bias include the process of literature searching, study selection, data extraction and original studies. A systematic review may greatly reduce bias, as it takes effective steps such as developing search strategies, undertaking funnel plot analysis, using established criteria for study selection, and assessment of the methodology quality of studies. All these help to control, identify and, describe the possible bias.
Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of the conservative treatment for the protrusion of cervical vertebra intervertebral disc. Methods We searched CBM disk (1978~2007), CNKI (1979~2007), VIP (1989~2007). Telephone interviewed the original authors of claimed randomized controlled trials(RCTs) to identify whether they are truly RCTs. Only true RCTs and quasi-randomized controlled trials were included and the quality of them was critically assessed. Results Five RCTs and eleven quasi-randomized controlled trials were identified and included. It showed that lifting-massage, massage combining with traction or acupuncture, articulus mobilization combining with traction and electrotherapy, traction combining with computer intermediate frequency therapeusis and injectio ad acumen combining with massage have marked improvement. But it could hardly draw a conclusion that all the combining therapies had better curative effect. Conclusions Weak evidence shows that combining conservative treatment can improve the curative effect of the protrusion of cervical vertebra intervertebral disc. The results need to be supported by well designed and high quality trials.
Objective To assess the efficacy of ambroxol on acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ALI/ARDS) . Methods The randomized controlled study involving ambroxol on ALI/ARDS were searched and identified from Cochrane Library, PubMed, China Academic Journals Full-text Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, WanFang Resource Database, and Chinese Journal Fulltext Database. The quality of the chosen randomized controlled studies was evaluated, and then the valid data was extracted for meta-analysis. Results Ten articles were included, all in Chinese, including 459 cases ofpatients ( 233 cases in experimental group,226 cases in control group) , with baseline comparability between the various experiments. Systematic review showed that in ALI/ARDS patients, high-dose ambroxol was in favor to improve PaO2 [ WMD =12. 23, 95% ( 9. 62, 14. 84) , P lt; 0. 0001] and PaO2 /FiO2 [ WMD = 32. 75,95% ( 30. 00, 35. 51) , P lt;0. 0001] , reduce lung injury score [ WMD = - 0. 49, 95% ( - 0. 66, - 0. 33) ,P lt;0. 0001] , decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation [ WMD = - 2. 70, 95% ( - 3. 24, - 1. 12) ,P lt;0. 0001] and the length of ICU stay [ WMD= - 2. 70, 95% ( - 3. 37, - 2. 04) , P lt;0. 0001] , and lower mortality [ OR=0. 46,95%( 0. 22, 1. 00) , P = 0. 05] . Conclusions The existing clinical evidence shows that, compared with conventional therapy, high-dose ambroxol plus can significantly improve PaO2 , PaO2 /FiO2 , lung injury score, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and mortality in ALI/ARDS patients. Due to the quality of research and the limitations of the study sample, there likely to exist a bias,and may affect the strength of result, so we expect more high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled clinical trial to verify.
Objective To determine the effectiveness of statins in reducing C-reactive protein in patients with cerebral infarction and the potency of C-reactive protein as an indicator for preventing cerebrovascular events. Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, Central Register of Controlled Trials, CBMdisc and CNKI from the date of establishment through August 2008. Bibliographies of the retrieved articles were also checked. Data was extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently with a designed extraction form. The RevMan 5.0 software was used to carry out meta-analysis. Results Twenty-three randomized trials involving 1946 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed the following: statins reduced C-reactive protein compared to the control group (WMD= –5.79, 95%CI –7.32 to –4.26); statins were associated with a reduction of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) (WMD= –0.21, 95%CI –0.25 to –0.17); atorvastatin greatly reduced C-reactive protein than the simvastatin control group (WMD= –1.78, 95%CI –3.92 to 0.36); statins were associated with a slight improvement in neurological deficit (OR= 2.22, 95%CI 0.94 to 5.21). Conclusion The evidence currently available shows that statins can reduce C-reactive protein and carotid IMT in the patients with cerebral infarction compared to the control group. However, it is not clear whether statins reducing C-reactive protein is correlated to the improvement of neurological deficit and prognosis. Similar trials in future should focus on the relationship between the change of C-reactive protein and clinical outcomes.
Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of Yinzhihuang injection for icteric viral hepatitis. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), The Cochrane Library (Issue1, 2005), CBMdisk (1978 to 2004), CMCC (1994 to 2005), CMAC (1994 to 2005), CNKI (1994 to 2005), VIP (1989 to 2004). Data were extracted by two reviewers using a designed extraction form. The quality of included trials was critically assessed. RevMan 4.2.7 was used for data analysis. Results Four randomized controlled trials were included. It showed that Yinzhihuang injection could abate jaundice better than or the same as controlled western medicine in patients with hepatitis (WMD 19.70, 95%CI 32.69 to 6.71 and WMD 1.27, 95%CI 3.08 to 0.54, respectively), but less than S-adeanosyl methionine in patients with chronic hepatitis (WMD 106.00, 95%CI 189.05 to 22.95). There may be a dose-effect relationship in Yinzhihuang injection, higher doses had better effect (WMD 11.50, 95%CI 16.53 to 6.47). No fatal side effects were reported.Conclusions It is noted that Yinzhihuang injection can abate jaundice of icteric viral hepatitis. Due to low statistical power and high risk of selection bias, performance bias and measurement bias of the included trials, these conclusions need to be treated cautiously.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of tacalcitol and calcitriol on vitiligo. Methods?We searched the MEDLINE (1966 to June 2008), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, issue 4, 2008), OVID (1978 to June 2008), EMbase (1980 to June 2008), CBM (1978 to June 2008), CNKI (1979 to June 2008) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We also hand searched relevant journals and conference proceedings. The language was confined to English and Chinese. We screened the retrieved studies according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of included studies, and performed meta-analyses by using the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 software. Results?Ffiteen trials involving 120 patients in 5 self-control trials and 793 patients in other 10 randomized controlled trials were included and assessed. The time of repigmentation onset of good responders and normal responders in the side treated with a combination of topical talcitol and NB-UVB was shorter than that in the control group [WMD= –?75, 95%CI (–?93.93, –?56.07); WMD= –?48, 95%CI (–?76.36, –?19.64)]. The mean number and cumulative dose of excimer light exposures for initial repigmentation in the side treated with tacalcitol and 308-nm monochromatic excimer light were less than those in the control group [WMD= –?0.78, 95%CI (–?1.02, –?0.54; WMD= –?1.06, 95%CI (–?1.36, –?0.76)]. The mean number of UVA exposures for initial repigmentation and complete repigmentation in the side treated with calcipotriol and PUVA were less than those in the control group [WMD= –?2.67, 95%CI (–?3.06, –?2.28); WMD= –?2.67, 95%CI (–?3.42, –?1.92)], and the cumulative UVA dose for iniitial and complete repigmentation in the combination group were also lower than those in the control group [WMD= –?25.68, 95%CI (–?29.44, –?21.92); WMD= –?27.14, 95%CI (–?34.80, –?19.48)]. The mean time of initial pigmentation was much shorter in the group treated with calcipotriol and corticosteroid was shorter than that in the control group [WMD= –?3.87, 95%CI (–?5.45, –?2.29)]. Conclusion?The limited evidence indicated that combination of topical tacalcitol with NB-UVB or monochromatic excimer light, or the combination of topical calcipotriol with PUVA or corticosteroid shortened the time of repigmentation and decreased the cumulative irradiation dose. The side effects were limited. No obvious effect was seen on re-pigmentation degree.