ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, so as to provide references for its clinical application. MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2013), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were systematically searched up to November 2013 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) about HIFU in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0. ResultsA total of 23 studies (19 RCTs and 4 CCTs) were included, of which 14 studies reported safety. The results of meta-analysis showed that:survival rates at the 6th month and the 12th month, overall efficacy and clinical benefit rate in the HIFU plus radiation and chemotherapy group were significantly higher than those in groups treated with three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) (P < 0.05), gemcitabine (GEM) (P < 0.05), GEM plus cisplatin (DDP) (P < 0.05), and GEM plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (P < 0.05). The adverse effects (mainly including skin damage and fever) in the HIFU plus radiation and chemotherapy group was similar to those in the control group with no significant difference (P > 0.05). ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that HIFU plus radiation and chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer is superior to other therapies with less adverse reaction. However, the poor quality of the included studies reduces the reliability of outcome to some extent. Thus, it is necessary to regulate and unify the criteria of diagnosis and outcome measures in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and improve the quality of study design and implementation in clinical studies, so as to provide high quality evidence for its clinical application.
The latest global big data evidence indicated the changes of skin and venereal disease burden was huge. HIV/AIDS disease burden was the heaviest diseases among all skin and venereal diseases, and its skin manifestation was serious. The evidence of skin manifestation was searched and classified by subjects such as clinical symptoms, diagnosis & treatment, nursing, etc. The results showed, that the skin manifestation of HIV/AIDS with high incidence was serious, atypical, difficult to cure which was easy to misdiagnose or miss diagnosis. After analyzing the global HIV/AIDS guidelines, we found that many high quality guidelines with widely-covered subjects were produced by developed countries, while quite a few low quality and ones with narrowly-covered subjects were produced by developing countries. Only one guideline was for treatment of HIV/AIDS skin lesion. Based on the current evidence, we call for that all healthcare professionals to increase their awareness, update knowledge, and joint in cooperative prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. We also call for that we should produce high quality primary evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS skin manifestation, and clinical practice guidelines based on good evidence. For the increasing heavy burden of skin and venereal diseases, we should adjust and expand research directions, enrich and improve new interdisciplinary knowledge. We also should constantly train professionals and spread out knowledge in public on prevention and treatment for skin manifestation, so as to transform the evidence in time, effectively protect medical staff and susceptible population, effectively prevent and treat this disease, and improve the satisfaction of our country, hospitals and patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of pancreatic cancer guidelines using evidence-based methods based on the global burden of pancreatic cancer, so as to explore its status, region distribution, characteristics of coverage themes, and difference of therapies recommended by the guidelines of various quality, and to provide references for clinical decisionmaking. MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2013), CBM, CNKI, and VIP, as well as the website of National Guidelines Clearinghouse (NGC), Guidelines International Network (GIN), and National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) were systematically searched for pancreatic cancer treatment guidelines. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE Ⅲ) was applied to assess methodological quality of included guidelines. ResultsA total of 14 relevant guidelines (including five evidence-based guidelines) were included involving seven countries of four continents (Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania) and four international academic organizations. There were only two domains, namely "scope and purpose" and "clarity of presentations" which got high average scores (more than 60%) among all 14 guidelines. The mean AGREE domain scores in guidelines varied with areas, and the quality of five evidence-based guidelines was superior to that established by consensus. According to the outcomes of AGREE Ⅲ, 11 guidelines were weakly recommended, while 3 were not recommended due to poor methodological quality. The subjects of 14 guidelines covered six treatment categories, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, support therapy, radiotherapy, and interventional therapy. ConclusionThe overall methodological quality of pancreatic cancer guidelines is not high among different countries or regions. The quality of evidence-based guidelines is superior to that established by consensus. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and support therapy were reccommended as predominant choice by these guidelines.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for bone tumors, so as to provide a reference for clinical decision. MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and VIP databases were systematically searched for clinical effectiveness and safety studies of HIFU for bone tumors up to August 2014. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were applied independently by two reviewers, and then RevMan 5.1 software was used for conducting meta-analysis. If the data cannot be synthesized, the research outcome was described with a qualitative analysis. ResultsA total of 10 case series including 257 patients (157 males, 100 females) were included. The current evidence indicated that overall survival rates for all primary bone malignancy at 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year were 89.8%, 72.3%, 60.5% and 50.5%, respectively. For the patients with clinical stage Ⅱb, the rates were 93.3%, 82.4%, 75% and 63.7%, respectively. For those with clinical stage Ⅲ, the rates were 79.2%, 42.2%, 21.1% and 15.8%, respectively. The local recurrence rate of HIFU for bone tumors was 7% to 9%, and recurrences at 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year were 0%, 6.2%, 11.8% and 11.8%, respectively. The amputation rate was 2% to 7%. The adverse reaction rate was 27.2% (70/257), and among them the main was mild skin burn (21/257, 8.2%), followed by I degree burns (16/257, 6.2%), nerve damage (10/257, 3.9%) and fracture (6/257, 2.3%). ConclusionHIFU provide an alternative choice for patients with bone malignancy, with a certain effectiveness and safety. However, high-quality, large-scale randomized controlled trials or cohort studies which may focus on vary kinds of tumors, clinical stage and site of lesions are urgently needed, so that clinicians can use sufficient evidence for their clinical decision-making.
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of focused ultrasound (FU) and microwave therapy (MW) for cervical ectopy (CE). MethodsWe searched the following databases:PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, VIP, CNKI and WanFang Data from inception to 30th August 2014. Two reviewers (Tang XL and Gao Z) independently screened literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.2.0 software. ResultsA total of 33 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1 759 patients were included. All the included studies were considered to be at high risk of bias. The results of meta-analysis showed that:compared with MW, FU could significantly reduce the risk of vaginal bleeding (RR=0.09, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.17, P<0.000 01) and vaginal discharge (RR=0.10, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.24, P<0.000 01), increase cure rate (RR=1.10, 95%CI 1.05 to 1.15, P<0.000 1) and total effective rate (RR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.06, P=0.000 5). However, there was no difference in decreasing recurrence rate (RR=0.13, 95%CI 0.02 to 1.00, P=0.05). ConclusionCurrent available evidence suggest that FU is safer and more effective than MW for treating CE. Due to the limitation of quality of included studies, more high quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptortyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2015) , CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched from inception to March 2015, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about EGFR-TKIs versus chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of 9 RCTs involving 3 841 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: for patients with EGFR mutation-positive, the rate of progression-free survival (PFS) (HR=0.41, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.54, P<0.000 01) , objective response rate (ORR) (RR=2.23, 95% CI 1.73 to 2.87, P<0.000 01) and quality of life (QoL) in the EGFR-TKI group were superior to the chemotherapy group; There was no statistical difference between two groups in rate of overall survival (OS) (HR=1.04, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.24, P=0.62) . The incidences of diarrhea (RR=3.81, 95% CI 2.15 to 6.76, P<0.001) and rash (RR=8.14, 95% CI 3.55 to 18.68, P<0.001) were significantly higher, but the incidence of blood toxicity was lower in the EGFR-TKI group that those in the chemotherapy group. ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows EGFR-TKI is superior to chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation-positive. However, due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality and impacts on outcomes for systematic reviews (SRs) of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus hepatic resection (HR) for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsWe comprehensively searched six databases and five official websites for health technology assessment (HTA), to collect HTAs, SRs, or meta-analyses from inception to Nov. 11th, 2012. The Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire (OQAQ) was applied for quality assessment of included studies, the tools recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration was applied for quality assessment for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and the modified MINORS score was applied to assess non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were integrated using Stata 10.0 software. ResultsOne HTA, 3 SRs and 15 meta-analyses were included in total. The mean OQAQ score was 3.3 with 95%CI 2.6 to 4.1. Only five (26.3%) SRs were assessed as good quality. Seven studies misused statistical models, and 3 of them changed outcome direction after modification. Five studies (5/19) included retrospective controlled studies as RCTs. A total of 39 primary studies referenced by SRs were included, of which, 3 RCTs were levelled grade B, 35 NRCTs were of moderate quality, with an estimated mean MINORS score of 15.0 (totally, scored 18) with 95%CI 14.6 to 15.4, and only 13 studies (37.1%) scored more than 16. Seventeen primary studies (43.6%) did not meet inclusion criteria of the SRs, of which, 9 (23.1%) studies were mixed with other effective interventions in both groups (TACE, PEI, etc.). Four studies included patients with non-primary HCC. ConclusionCurrently, the overall quality of HTAs, SRs and meta-analyses about comparing the effects between RFA and HR for early HCC is fairly poor (high heterogeneity exists, and the evidence level is low. Physicians should apply the evidence with caution in clinical practice.
ObjectivesThe primary objectives of this rapid health technology assessment (RHTA) were to assess the safety and effectiveness of Da Vinci surgical system compared with traditional e surgeries, so as to provide the currently-available best evidence for health decision makers and clinical workers. MethodsA comprehensive search of electronic databases (EMbase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, CBM and WanFang Data) and relevant professional HTA websites were conducted from inceptionto October 9, 2012. Two reviews independently screen literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assess the quality of included studies. The data based on secondary studies were reported, and a final recommendation and its level was made based on assessment outcome. ResultsA total of 21 studies were included, encompassing 7 HTAs and 14 systematic reviews/metaanalyses. The included studies involved radical prostatectomy, hysterectomy, nephrectomy, coronary artery bypass graft, and gastric fundoplication. Though the included HTAs and systematic reviews/meta-analyses focus on different diseases, the outcomes showed significant differences existed between Da Vinci surgical system and other routine surgery in clinical effectiveness and safety of different diseases. Compared with routine surgery, Da Vinci surgical system shortened hospital stay; decreased operation conversion rates, blood loss and blood transfusion rates during surgery; but it increased operative time. Besides, compared with traditional laparoscopic surgery, Da Vinci surgical system shortened operation time and hospital stay, and decreased operation conversion rates, blood loss and blood transfusion rates during surgery. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the clinical effectiveness and safety outcomes of Da Vinci surgical system differ in diseases. Currently, most included HTAs and systematic reviews/meta-analyses are based on observational studies, relevant prospective randomized controlled trials lack, and the evidence is graded as low quality, health decision makers are suggested to apply this evidence with caution on the basis of comprehensive consideration.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the comparative cost-effectiveness of thrombolysis treatment of ischemic stroke based on outcomes of CT perfusion (CTP). MethodsWe applied the methods of systematic review to evaluate the studies abroad about the cost effectiveness of CTP diagnosis outcomes used for selecting stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment. We also evaluated the domestic studies about the cost-effectiveness of CTP in China by establishing a decision tree model. ResultsA total of 2 economics studies were included. The results showed that, the cost-effectiveness ratios of CT, CTP and MRI for selecting stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment were 2 983.7 ￡/QALY, 2 951.4 ￡/QALY and 2 982.9 ￡/ QALY, respectively, in the UK; 100 483.5＄/QALY and 99 406.1＄/QALY just for CT and CTP, respectively, in the US; and the evaluation outcomes by establishing the decision tree model showed that, 113 492.4 ￥/QALY, 113 615￥/QALY and 120 831.9 ￥/QALY, respectively, in China. ConclusionAll international and domestic studies' results show that CTP is more cost-effective than CT/MRI in selecting stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment.
The western medicine are main drugs in treatment of infectious diseases, but the combination of Traditional Chinese and western medicine are used in China. In recent years, proportion of proprietary Chinese medicine increased significantly in this field. However, the classification of proprietary Chinese medicine and matching with the counterparts of western medicine were difficult, and the package inserts were less scientific and normative. By searching the terms of "Qing kai ling" and "Infection", the paper found the quality of post-marketing clinical researches was low. The use proportion of Qing kai ling combined with other drugs was more than 50%, 70% of which was western medicine. The further studies are needed to explore some proprietary Chinese medicine with obvious competitive advantage and improve the quality of methodology and reporting, in order to standardize and guide the rational use of proprietary Chinese medicine in infectious diseases.