Objective To investigate the characteristics of blood pressure and coronary artery impairment in patients with essential hypertension (EH) combining coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods A total of 358 patients with EH combining CHD and other 144 patients with CHD were measured with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and the parameters of ambulatory blood pressure were analyzed. All the patients underwent coronary angiography. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was evaluated in accordance with the number of impaired arteries. Results Compared to the patients with simplex CHD, those with EH combining CHD had much heavier artery stenosis and more diffuse lesions, with significant differences (χ2=6.03, P=0.019). The 24h systolic blood pressure (SBP), day SBP, night SBP, 24h pulse pressure (PP), day PP and night PP were higher in the patients with EH combining CHD compared to those of the patients with simplex CHD (The t values were 2.580, 2.045, 2.675, 2.037, 2.601, and 1.995, respectively, while the P values were 0.015, 0.037, 0.009, 0.041, 0.017, and 0.047, respectively). Conclusion Compared to the patients with simplex CHD, the patients with EH combining CHD suffer from much severe coronary artery impairment, so a good controlling of blood pressure is advisable to improve the coronary artery impairment for the patients with EH combining CHD.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for uterine neoplasms using evidence-based methods based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) Six guidelines were included, three of which were evidence-based. (2) Retrieved guidelines related to nine medicines (of three classes) for uterine neoplasms and five adjuvant drugs (of three classes) used after relevant surgery. (3) According to WHOEML (2011), NEML (2009), CNF (2010), other guideline and the quantity and quality of evidence, we offered a b recommendation for medroxyprogesterone acetate, oxytocin, ergometrine and a weak recommendation for testosterone propionate, methyltestosterone, tamoxifen, mifepristone, tranexamic acid, leonurus heterophyllus used in the treatment of uterine neoplasms. We offered a recommendation against danazol and aromatase inhibitors. (4) We found relevant domestic literature on mifepristone, methyltestosterone, tamoxifen, oxytocin and leonurus heterophyllus. Mifepriston combined with methyltestosterone or tamoxifen was recommended to use as a conservative therapy for uterine neoplasms. Oxytocin,and leonurus heterophyllus were used to reduce bleeding after the surgery of uterine neoplasms. As to daily expense, mifepriston (25 mg/d) cost 13.0 to 27.5 yuan, methyltestosterone (5 mg/d) 0.074 yuan, tamoxifen (20 mg/d) 0.6 to 1.4 yuan, leonurus heterophyllus (injection, 1 mL) 15 yuan and oxytocin (injection, 20 U) 1.5 yuan. (5) Results of domestic studies indicated that mifepristone, mifepristone plus methyltestosterone, and mifepristone plus tamoxifen were proved to be safe and applicable for the treatment of uterine neoplasms. Oxytocin and leonurus heterophyllus are effective in preventing postoperative bleeding and the combination of two effectively and safely promoted uterine contraction. Conclusion (1) We offer a recommendation for three medication plans used in the treatment uterine neoplasms during perimenopause, including: a) Mifepristone (25 mg/ tablet, once daily); b) Mifepristone (25 mg/ tablet, once daily) plus methyltestosterone (5 mg/tablet, once daily); c) Mifepristone (25 mg/ tablet, once daily) plus tamoxifen (10 mg/tablet, twice daily). The three plans mentioned above should be used from first day of menstrual cycle, continuously for three months. (2) Adjuvant drugs such as oxytocin (injection, 1 to 2 mL) and leonurus heterophyllus (injection, 10 U) can be applied to reduce vaginal bleeding flow after the surgery of uterine neoplasms. (3) Personnel in elementary healthcare institution should stick to drug indication, carefully make follow-up, and dynamically monitor the change of uterine neoplasms and menstruation so as to adjust medication plan according to patients’ situation.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the implementation effects of the full coverage policy for medicines, and to provide evidence for the improvement of National Essential Medicine Policy in China.MethodsWe searched databases including ProQuest, PubMed, CNKI and WanFang Data databases from inception to June 30th 2018 to collect the studies on full coverage policy for medicines. Two reviewers screened literature and extracted related information independently. Then, qualitative analyses were applied to evaluate the impact of the full coverage policy for medicines.ResultsA total of 35 studies on the full coverage policy for medicines were included. Ten studies evaluated the effects of disease control, 12 studies evaluated the impact of the compliance of the patients, 9 studies evaluated the impact on medical expenses and drug costs, 2 studies evaluated the effects of equality, 7 studies evaluated economics, and 11 studies described the improper use and waste of medicines.ConclusionsIn the content of perfecting the selection mechanism and management system, the implementation of the full coverage policy for essential medicines is conducive to promoting equality and accessibility, enhancing drug compliance, improving the diagnosis and treatment of patient diseases ultimately, and making the policy more economical.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for children with fever and adult gastrointestinal flu caused by common cold using evidence-based approaches based on the burden of disease for township health centers located in eastern, central and western regions of China. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) 12 guidelines were included, 11 of which were evidence-based or based on expert consensus. We offered a recommendation for medicines used in the treatment including analgesics and antipyretics, decongestants, antihistamines, cough-relieving drug, phlegm-removing drug and drug for gastrointestinal symptoms. (2) A result of four RCTs (very low quality) indicated that in the treatment of children with cold, ibuprofen suspension had an antipyretic effect similar to paracetamol solution (for oral use) with a pooled result of 6-hour efficiency in relieving fever (RR 1.48, 95%CI 0.66 to 3.30, P=0.34). The major adverse effects of ibuprofen suspension included gastrointestinal reaction and profuse sweats (RR=1.23, 95%CI 0.72 to 2.11, P=0.45). With good applicability, ibuprofen suspension (for oral use with no need to be supervised) cost 1.93 yuan daily. (3) A result of three RCTs (low quality) indicated that after given for 30 minutes and one hour, paracetamol solution (suppository) was fairly superior to ibuprofen suspension in lowering the high temperature caused by fever (given for 30 min: MD= –0.16°C, 95%CI –0.21 to –0.11, Plt;0.01; given for one hour: MD= –0.19°C, 95%CI –0.28 to 0.10, Plt;0.01). As to adverse reaction, paracetamol solution (suppository) mainly included anal irritation, skin rashes and profuse sweats, which had a comparative result of incidence with ibuprofen suspension (RR=1.84, 95%CI 0.62 to 5.44, P=0.27). For children with fever, paracetamol solution (suppository) cost 0.90 yuan daily. With good applicability, paracetamol solution (suppository) was administered via the anus. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for ibuprofen suspension (2 g/100 mL) or acetaminophen (0.1 g/suppository) as symptomatic treatment used in children with fever, pain and discomfort caused by common cold, and for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Jiao Nang (0.3 g/ capsule) used in adults with gastrointestinal flu. We also offer a weak recommendation for acetylcysteine (injection, 300 mg/mL, 10 mL/ampoule) used in patients with paracetamol poisoning. (2) In order to produce high-quality local evidence, we proposed that large-scale, well-designed, high-quality clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies on ibuprofen suspension and acetaminophen suppository in the treatment of children with fever, pain and discomfort caused by common cold should be further carried out. Besides, we proposed that large-scale, well-designed, high-quality clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies on Chinese patent drugs of Huo Xiang Zheng Qi used in chidren and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Jiao Nang used in adults should further carried out. Moreover, we suggest that epidemiological investigation as well as clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies of acetylcysteine injection for paracetamol poisoning should be carried out and the instructions of acetylcysteine injection should be added in the guidelines of essential medicine in China. Finally, further studies on evidence of oxymetazoline, dextromethorphan and other Chinese patent drugs with the effect of relieving cough and treating cold should be carried out.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for acute cholecystitis using evidence-based methods based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) Three guidelines were included (two foreign guidelines, one domestic guideline; two based on evidence, one based on expert consensus). (2) Results of two RCTs (n=200, low quality) and two CCTs (n=230, low quality) indicated efficiencies of ampicillin/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin combined with metronidazole, and ceftazidime combined with metronidazole were 92.5%, 92.6%, 92.5% and 91.3%. A result of three RCTs (n=661, low quality) indicated that lavofloxacin had efficiencies of 82.2% to 95.8% which were 84.4% to 94.7% when combined with metronidazole. A result of three RCTs (n=553, low quality) indicated that for acute cholecystitis, ceftriaxone had an efficiency of 90.0%, cefuroxime 73.7% and cefoperazone/sulbactam 95.6% (Efficiency: ceftriaxone 93.3%, cefuroxime 82.5% and cefoperazone/sulbactam 92.3%, when combined with metronidazole). A result of one RCT (n=72, low quality) indicated that cephazoline had an efficiency of 70.9% with bacteria resistance rates of 70% for G+ and 87% for G. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for piperacillin/tazobactam and cefoperazone/sulbactam used in the treatment of acute cholecystitis (mild, moderate and severe). We offer a b recommendation for meropenem, imipenem/cilastatin and metronidazole as alternatives for severe acute cholecystitis. (2) We offer a weak recommendation for ceftazidime and cefepime used in the treatment of severe acute cholecystitis and a weak recommendation for cefotiam, ampicillin/sulbactam and cefuroxime used in the treatment of acute cholecystitis (mild and moderate). We offer a weak recommendation for lavofloxacin and ciprofloxacin used in the treatment of acute cholecystitis (mild and severe) and a weak recommendation for ceftriaxone used in the treatment of acute cholecystitis (mild, moderate and severe). (3) We make a recommendation against cephazoline as routine use. (4) More large-scale, multi-center, double-blinded RCTs are needed in clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies of acute cholecystitis and outcome indicator should be improved in order to produce high-quality local evidence.
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.
Objective To understand the attitude of xinjiang medical workers towards national essential drugs and the requirements and suggestions about training, so as to provide necessary baseline information for spreading the application of Essential Medicine List (EML) in Xinjiang. Methods A questionnaire designed by Chinese Evidence-Based Medical Center was distributed for a face-to-face survey. The data were double-input by EpiData 3.1 with double checks, and statistically analyzed by EXCEL with constituent ratio as the statistical index. Results A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed and then retrieved with 100% recovery rate. Respondents employed in six public hospitals at or above the county level and in six community health service centers as well. a) The accuracy of 80 respondents about the basic concepts of essential drugs, serviceable range of EML, and the relationship between EML and basic medicare drug list were 72.6%, 89.5% and 17.8%, respectively; b) 33.8% (27) of the respondents always firstly considered using the essential medicine in their prescription, and 22.5% (18) of the respondents considered using essential drugs in most cases; c) EML were welcome loy 35% (28) of the respondents; d) The problems of practicing EML issued by respondents were the following in order: doctors’ awareness of essential drugs and prescribing habit of doctors, the safety and effectiveness of essential drugs, lower income, patients’ awareness of essential drugs and preference to medication, and the applicability of the essential medicine list; e) The main approaches to getting information about essential drugs were academic seminars (37 person-time, 46.2%), professional journals (27 person-time, 33.8%) and documents (25 person-time, 31.2%); f) There were 46 respondents who had participated in EML training once or twice; g) The total EML training or learning time of 34 respondents (42.5%) was less than one week; and h) Respondents suggested that, the training objects should be medical personnel, pharmacists and administrators; the training contents should be rational drug use, formularies and the use of essential drugs, drug policy, and the effectiveness of integration of the traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine; the training methods should be theoretical teaching and online learning; and the training place should be hospitals, homes or offices. Conclusion It is extremely urgent to improve doctors’ awareness of EML and strengthen the training of usage, and to conduct the research on EML applicability and effectiveness evaluation, financial subsidies, medical staff income, purchase and reimbursement problems.
Objective To compare the national essential medicines list (EML) and national essential insurance medicine list (EIML) of China with that of the WHO, so as to provide reasonable evidence for the adjustment of new EML and EIML of China. Methods The similarities and differences in the selection, updating, categories, subcategories and the amounts of medicines in the EML and EIML of China and the WHO EML were compared and analyzed. Results There are some differences among the three lists in selecting principles, updating of medicines .The latest version of WHO EML (version in 2007) has 27 categories, including 340 medicines; China EML (version in 2004) has 23 categories and 773 western medicines, containing 23 categories and 225 (66.17%) similar medicines of WHO EML, which accounts for 29.11% of EML of China. China EIML (version in 2005) has 23 categories and 1 031 western medicines, containing 22 categories and 227 (66.76%) of WHO EML, which accounts for 22.02% of EIML of China. China EIML was developed based on China EML. There is little difference in selecting, updating, categories of medicines. Conclusion The difference was obviously found in medicine selection, updating and categories between China EML, EIML and WHO EML. We suggested that our national EML and EIML should be more reasonably selected and updated base on the principals of WHO EML.
Objective To evaluate and select essential medicine for bone fracture using evidence-based methods based on the burden of disease. Methods By means of the approaches, criteria, and workflow set up in the second article of this series, we referred to the recommendations of evidence-based or authority guidelines from inside and outside China, collected relevant evidence from domestic clinical studies, and recommended essential medicine based on evidence-based evaluation. Data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 and GRADE profiler 3.6 to evaluate quality of evidence. Results (1) 17 guidelines were included, six of which were evidence-based or based on expert consensus. We found that for fracture, global guidelines recommended surgical treatment and analgesics, while domestic guidelines recommended Chinese patent drugs. (2) A result of one RCT (low quality) indicated that Shang Ke Jie Gu Pian (name of a Chinese patent drug) shortened the clinical recovery time of fracture (MD=–4.2, 95%CI –5.25 to –3.14). A result of one RCT indicated that Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian had a higher total clinical efficiency compared with San Qi Pian (name of a Chinese patent drug) (RR=1.28, 95%CI 1.11 to 1.47). A result of one RCT (low quality) indicated that Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian (name of a Chinese patent drug) had a better effect than Shenyang Hong Yao Pian (name of a Chinese patent drug) in promoting the growth of osteotylus (RR=1.48, 95%CI 1.27 to 1.73) and also it had a higher clinical recovery rate (RR=1.62, 95%CI 1.37 to 1.9) compared to Shenyang Hong Yao Pian. A result of one RCT (moderate quality) indicated that Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian was slightly better than Die Da Wan (name of Chinese patent drug) in regard to the recovery score of fracture (MD=0.25, 95%CI 0.026 to 0.47). A result of one RCT (low quality) indicated that compared to fracture reduction alone Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian efficiently relieved pain (MD=–25.9, 95% –32.6 to –19.19) and shortened pain time (MD=–38.6, 95% –41.44 to –35.77). A result of one quasi-RCT (low quality) indicated that Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian had a higher efficiency in relieving pain than benorylate (RR=1.13, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.23). A result of one RCT (low quality) indicated that Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian had a higher efficiency than Shenyang Hong Yao Pian in relieving pain and swelling (RR=2.4, 95%CI 1.88 to 3.02). A result of one RCT (moderate quality) indicated that Shang Ke Jiu Ji Pian was superior to Die Da Wan in relieving pain and swelling (MD=–0.4, 95%CI –0.60 to –0.2). A result of two RCT (n=198) indicated that Shang Ke Jie Gu Pian caused no adverse reaction. With good applicability, Shang Ke Jie Gu Pian (taken with warm water or rice wine) cost 7.47 yuan daily. Conclusion (1) We offer a b recommendation for Shang Ke Jie Gu Pian and Jie Gu Qi Li Pian used in the treatment of adult fracture. (2) We should carry out more large-sample and controlled trials and improve outcome indicator in order to produce high-quality local evidence.