Objective To identify an evidence-based treatment for an elderly patient with intertrochanteric fractures. Methods Clinical problems were presented on the basis of the patient’s conditions, and evidence was collected from the NGC (2000 to 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), TRIP Database, PubMed (1966 to 2009) and CBM (1978 to 2009). Treating strategies were formulated in terms of the three-combination principle (best evidence, the doctor’s professional knowledge and the patient’s desire). Results Three guidelines and sixteen studies were included. The current evidence indicated that surgery was the preferred solution to intertrochanteric fractures of the elderly patient. The sliding hip screw (SHS) appeared superior to others. There was insufficient evidence to support the routine use of closed suction drainage in orthopedic surgeries. Early surgery was associated with shorter hospital stay and improved mortality. Antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced infections. In order to lower the risk of venous thromboembolism, pharmacological prophylaxis should be carried out when the patient was admitted to hospital and be assisted with mechanical prophylaxis after surgery. Nutritional supplementation was conducive to the recovery of the patient. Rehabilitation ought to be performed as soon as possible. Considering the patient’s condition, the treatment option was established according to the available evidence and guidelines. Short-term follow-up showed a good outcome. Conclusion Through the evidence-based method, an individual treatment plan could obviously improve the treatment effect and prognosis.
Objectives To analyze the effect of improved oven for defluorination in coal-burning endemic fluorosis areas in China, and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of fluorosis. Methods Electronic databases including CNKI, CBM, VIP and CDMD-D (1989 to 2005), were searched. We also checked the reference lists of relevant articles. We selected relevant articles according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was assessed . Data on room heat preservation and the effect of improved oven for defluorination were collected in the surveillance spots of Three Gorges Reservoir. Correlation analyses were conducted between the improved oven and its effect parameters. Results Twelve articles of low quality met the selection criteria, of which 9 were graded C and 3 were graded D in terms of the methodological quality. A negative correlation was found between the decreasing rate of normal oven use and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of urine fluorine (Pearson correlation coefficient r = – 0.87, – 0.63, Plt;0.01, lt;0.05, respectively). Analysis also revealed a positive correlation between room heat preservation and the decreasing rate of dental fluorosis as well as of normal oven use (the two Spearman correlation coefficients and P values were the same: r = –1.00, Plt;0.01). Conclusion High-quality studies on the effect of improved oven for defluorination in China are not available. Based on the current evidence, the improved oven for defluorination and the correct use, maintenance and house rebuilding for heat preservation may help to prevent fluorosis.
Objective To re-estimate price elasticity of different income groups’ demand for cigarette in terms of the lastest national tobacco consumption data and provide policy-makers with evidence to make decision on public policy of tobacco control. Methods A total of 16 056 adults of different income were surveyed in 27 provinces in 2002 and the data analyzed by using two-part model (logistic and log-linear model). Results We found that the demand elasticities were -0.589, -0.234, -0.017 and 0.247 for the poor group, low income group, middle income group and high income group, respectively. Conclusions Increasing tobacco tax will result in decreasing more cigarette consumption of lower income groups than higher groups, bearing more taxation of higher income groups than lower income groups, therefore tobacco taxation is not regressive.
The modernization and internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are the key issues we must face up to. The development of TCM needs to depend on the breakthrough of methods and the innovation of ideology, and the international standardization of scientific research evaluation. The clinical evidence from randomized comtrolled trials (RCT) is valuable and reliable. It has shown that the proportion of RCT identified in TCM journals was less than 30%, and the score of RCT’s quality was less than 3 using Jadad scale. However, the number of systematic reviews on TCM is increasing rapidly after the evidence-based medicine (EBM) was introduced and practiced in China. Until 2004, 43 systematic reviews of TCM were published in China, and the quality of RCT included in those reviews was elevated. It has shown that the efficacy and safety of TCM indicated some advances in treatment of certain kind of diseases. It has been realized that RCT are important in TCM, and improving the quality of RCT is the key step for modernization and internationalization of TCM.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods The clinical problems were put forward after full evaluation of patient’s conditions, and then the evidence related to the diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma was collected from The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2010), PubMed (1980 to 2010), Embase (1990 to 2010) and Wanfang Data (1990 to 2010). All the collected evidence was critically assessed. Both patient preferences and physician clinical experience were also taken into consideration in the decision-making treatment. Results A total of 153 relevant literatures were detected, and 13 meta-analyses or systematic reviews, 23 RCTs and 4 practice guidelines were identified. A rational treatment plan was made upon a serious evaluation of the data and the opinion of the patient. After a 6-month follow-up, the plan proved to be optimal. Conclusion The individualized treatment plan according to evidence-based methods for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma can effectively improve the therapeutic efficacy and the life quality.
Objective To make an individualized treatment plan for a premature menopause female who was diagnosed as stable coronary heart disease with the symptom of frequent palpitation after physical activity for over 1 month.. Methods Seven clinical problems were put forward after assessing the patient＇s health state. We searched The Cochrane Library （Issue 2, 2005 ） , evidence-based medicine reviews （EMBtk） （1991 - 2005 ） , and MEDLINE （1991 - 2005 ） databases. Systematic review, meta-analysis and randomized controlled trials about the treatment of coronary heart disease were included. The treatment plan was developed accordingly. Results After evaluating, thirty-four studies were ehglble. The evidence indicated that three kind of drugs （aspirin, h-blockers and statins）, exercise and dietary therapy, and 75mg/d aspirin for secondary prevention, could improve the therapy effect and the prognosis by controlling LDL below 2.6 mmol/L; ACEIs should be used depending on the patient＇s condition; coronary arteriography and interventional strategy helped little for patients without coronary artery events in recent 3 months, and their cost-effectiveness was lower; hormone replacement therapy even increased the risk of thrombosis. The individualized treatment plan was developed based on the available evidence. After 2 months, the patient＇s weight declined, the symptom of angina disappeared and the lipidemia reduced to aimed level. Conclusions The individualized treatment plan based on the high quality evidence and patient＇s condition is optimal for the short-term treatment of stable coronary heart disease. However, the long-term prognostic benefits need to be confirmed by continuing follow-up.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based adjuvant therapeutic plan for a patient with large area pressure ulcers. Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’s condition and using the principle of PICO, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2008), DARE (Issue 3, 2008), CCRT (Issue 1, 2008), MEDLINE (1980~ March 2008) and Chinese Journal Full-text Database CNKI (1979~2008) for the best available clinical evidence on adjuvant therapy of large area pressure ulcers with infrared rays, nutrition support and some special overlays. Results Two systematic reviews and three randomized controlled trials were included. According to the current evidence, as well as the patient’s clinical condition and preference, a comprehensive therapeutic plan was given to the patient. And in the next three months with the therapeutic plan, the patient’s large area pressure ulcers had already recovered. Conclusion Evidence based approaches can help us develop the best comprehensive therapeutic plan for the patient and will help improve the therapeutic results for patients with large area pressure ulcers.
To promote the accessibility and application of guidelines, it is necessary to establish a professional guideline database to adapt to the rapid growth of TCM clinical practice guidelines. This study described the framework design, technology module, information management, and quality control of the clinical practice guideline database of traditional Chinese medicine (G-TCM). G-TCM had included 658 TCM clinical practice guidelines, which would provide a platform for clinicians, researchers, guideline makers (revision), and evaluators to quickly query and obtain clinical guideline information, and play a supporting role in promoting the standardization and accessibility of TCM clinical practice guidelines and better guiding clinical practice.