Therapeutics
Vitamin E reduced secondary cardiovascular disease events in patients receiving long term hemodialysis Boaz M, Smetana S, Weinstein T, et al. Secondary prevention with antioxidants of cardiovascular disease in endstage renal disease (SPACE): randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2000 Oct 7;356:1213–8
Standard therapy was as effective as CPAP for acute hypoxemic nonhypercapnic respiratory insufficiency Delclaux C, L'Her E, Alberti C, et al. Treatment of acute hypoxemic nonhypercapnic respiratory insufficiency with continuous positive airway pressure delivered by a face mask. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2000 Nov 8;284:2352–60
Review: intravenous aminophylline does not have additional benefit when added to β2 agonists for acute asthma Parameswaran K, Belda J, Rowe BH. Addition of intravenous aminophylline to beta2-agonists in adults with acute asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(4):CD002742 (latest version 19 Jun 2000).
Review: preventive therapy reduces the incidence of active tuberculosis in the short to medium term in patients with HIV Wilkinson D. Drugs for preventing tuberculosis in HIV infected persons. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(4):CD000171 (latest version 30 Aug 2000).
Review: little if any advantage exists for using regular v as needed inhaled short acting β2 agonists in asthma Walters EH, Walters J. Inhaled short acting beta2-agonist use in asthma: regular vs as needed treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(4):CD001285 (latest version 7 Aug 1999).
Systemic thrombolytics for deep vein thrombosis were more effective than local treatment or placebo, but adverse events were more frequent Schweizer J, Kirch W, Koch R, et al. Short- and long-term results after thrombolytic treatment of deep venous thrombosis. J Am Coll Cardiol 2000 Oct;36:1336–43
Review: herbal remedies may improve FEV1 and symptoms in asthma Huntley A, Ernst E. Herbal medicines for asthma: a systematic review. Thorax 2000 Nov;55:925–9
Review: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are more tolerable than tricyclic antidepressant drugs Barbui C, Hotopf M, Freemantle N, et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors versus tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepressants: comparison of drug adherence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(4):CD002791 (latest version 13 Jul 2000).
Supported early discharge had a readmission rate similar to that of conventional care in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Cotton MM, Bucknall CE, Dagg KD, et al. Early discharge for patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax 2000 Nov;55:902–6
Home supported discharge was as effective and safe as standard hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Skwarska E, Cohen G, Skwarski KM, et al. Randomised controlled trial of supported discharge in patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thorax 2000 Nov;55:907–12
Cilostazol increased walking distance but had more adverse effects than pentoxifylline in intermittent claudication Dawson DL, Cutler BS, Hiatt WR, et al. A comparison of cilostazol and pentoxifylline for treating intermittent claudication. Am J Med 2000 Nov;109:523–30
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