Objective Making an individualized pharmacological treatment plan for a patient of acute respiratory distress syndrome after operation. Methods First, six clinical problems were put forward after assessing the patient’ s health state. Then we searched OVID versions of the ACP Journal Club (1991~2009), CENTRAL (1st Quarter 2009), CDSR (1st Quarter 2009), and MEDLINE (1991~2009) databases. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials about treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome were included. The pharmacological treatment plan was made accordingly.Results After evaluation, 13 studies were eligible. The evidence indicated that the restrictive strategy of fluid management, corrected hypoproteinaemia, diuresis, and low-dose corticosteroids given in the early phase could improve oxygenation and prognosis; inhaled nitric oxide, exogenous surfactant supplement, other pharmacological drugs were associated with limited improvement in oxygenation in patients with ARDS but confer no mortality benefit and may cause harm, so we did not recommend their routine use in ARDS patients. The individual treatment plan was made based on the evidence found. After 8 days of treatment, the patient was out the ICU. He recovered and was discharged after 1 month. Conclusions The individual treatment plan, which was made based on high quality evidence and patient’s condition, improved treatment efficacy, shortened the stay in ICU, reduced mortality, and decreased adverse reactions.
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.
Objective To give an individualized treatment to a young woman with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods According to the basic principle and methods of evidence-base medicine, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2009), MEDLINE (PubMed, January 1950 to May 2009), ACP Journal Club (OVID, January 1991 to May 2007) for systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to acquire the best clinical evidence on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Results A total of 11 systematic reviews and 1 RCT were identified. A reasonable treatment plan was made through combining the patient’s will with her family members’. Conclusion The treatment effect on primary dysmenorrhea of the young woman is improved by an individualized treatment plan based on an evidence-based method.
Objective To find individualized evidence-based treatments for a patient with lower rectal cancer. Methods Based on the clinical questions raised, evidence was collected and critically assessed. Patient preferences and physician clinical experience were also taken into consideration in the decision-making treatment. Results Twenty-four systematic reviews or meta analyses and 1 clinical guideline were included. The evidence showed that preoperative chemoradio- therapy reduces risk of local recurrence and death from rectal cancer compared to preoperative radiotherapy alone. Preoperative combined chemoradiotherapy, enhanced pathological response and improved local control in the resectable stage II and III rectal cancer. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy reduced the risk of local recurrence as compared with postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Postoperative radiotherapy alone did not improve survival for the patients with resected stage II and stage III rectal cancer, whereas either chemotherapy alone or combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy improved survival in comparison with observation. As compared with conventional radical surgery, total mesorectum excision (TME) resulted in lower postoperative local recurrence rate and higher survival rate. No significant differences in terms of disease-free survival rate, local recurrence rate, mortality, and morbidity were found between laparoscopic and open total mesorectal excision. Conclusion The patients with lower rectal cancer might benefit from preoperative chemoradiotherapy, postoperative chemotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy. TME is the standard rectal cancer surgery. However, long-term prognostic benefits need to be confirmed by further follow-up.
Objective To discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up visit mode of thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like elements (CASTLE). Mothods For a systematic review of a case with CASTLE, the domestic and overseas literature was searched to analyze final diagnosis, treatment and follow-up visit indexes of that case. Results For CASTLE, the pathology combined with immunohistochemistry was the only method for final diagnosis, the operation was the main treatment, and the ultrasound as well as the computed tomography (CT) could be the follow-up visiting indexes. Conclusion CASTLE is a special kind of thyroid carcinoma, which is different from differentiated thyroid carcinoma in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up visit.
Objective To identify the best therapy regimen for a patient with rare chronic leg ulcer in necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD). Methods We searched the Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2006), PubMed (1966-July 2006), EMbase (1974-July 2006) and CBM (1978-July 2006) to identify relevant evidence. The quality of the retrieved studies was critically assessed. Results A total of 153 records were retrieved. No clinical guidelines, systematic reviews or clinical randomized studies were identified. Thirty treatment-related studies involving 17 interventions showed that, fumaric acid esters, oral pentoxifylline, topical use of growth factors and surgical skin flap transplant were relatively more effective and safer than conventional therapies. Conclusion After treatment with tropical granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, the patient with chronic leg ulcers was healed.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with hepatitis C after kidney transplantation with combination of interferon-α and ribavirin. Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’ s condition and using the principle of PICO, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2009), PubMed (1995 to March 2009), and CHKD (1995 to 2008.12). Results Eighteen studies were identified including 17 in English (5 case reports, 11 cohort studies, and 1 meta–analysis) and 1 in Chinese. According to the current evidence as well as the patient’ s clinical condition and preference, PEG-IFNα-2b 50 µg /week plus ribavirin 600 mg/day was given to the patient for 6 months. Conclusion Evidence-based approaches help us to prepare the anti-viral therapy plan and will improve the assessment of the efficacy and safety in kidney transplantation.
Objective Methods of evidence-based medicine were used to make an individualized treatment plan concerning newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma patient. Methods After clinical problems were put forward, evidence was collected from Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), PubMed (1990 -2009), MEDLINE (1990-2009), EMbase (1990-2009), CBM (1990-2009), and CNKI (1990-2009) according to the search strategy. Subject words were open-angle glaucoma, timolol, latanoprost, trabeculectomy, intraocular pressure, randomized controlled trials, human, meta-analysis, systematic review. Results A total of 221 randomized controlled trials, and 19 systematic reviews were identified. A rational treatment plan was made upon a serious evaluation of the data. After one year follow-up, the plan was proved optimal. Conclusion The treatment efficacy in newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma has been improved by determining an individualized treatment plan according to evidence-based methods.
Cirrhosis is an end stage of condition of various liver diseases with specific clinic and pathologic process. The incidence is high and it seriously affects the quality of life for patients. In order to obtain the best prevention and treatment for end-stage cirrhosis, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2004), SUMsearch (1981~2004) and MEDLINE (1981~2004), and identified 15 systematic reviews and 65 randomized controlled trials. We critically assessed the quality of studies. The results showed the principal treatment of cirrhosis was to deal with complications, such as the prevention and treatment of variceal bleeding, the treatment of ascites etc.