TrialPanorama/TrialPanorama-benchmark huggingface dataset:
Background: Artemisinin derivatives are a relatively new group of drugs with antimalarial properties. As resistance to other antimalarial drugs continues to increase, artemisinin drugs may be useful alternatives.
Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of artemisinin drugs for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
Selection criteria: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of artemisinin derivatives, alone or in combination with other antimalarials, compared with standard antimalarial treatments, in adults or children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Only trials where treatment was given by mouth or suppository were included. Comparisons between different artemisinin derivatives and treatment regimens were also included.
Objectives: Around 120 million women worldwide suffer from Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis every year. The infection is sexually transmitted and is believed to facilitate HIV transmission. The objective of the review is to assess the effects of various treatment strategies for trichomoniasis in women.
Selection criteria: Randomized or quasi-randomized trials in women with trichomoniasis of different treatment strategies, different antitrichomonal drugs or doses were eligible.
Background: Dementia is an age-related condition in which Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disease account for the bulk of cases. The role played by calcium in regulating brain functions is well known - the calcium ion links membrane excitation to subsequent intracellular enzymatic response. Change in calcium homeostasis is one important effect of aging with repercussions on higher cortical functions. Nimodipine is an isopropyl calcium channel blocker which can easily cross the blood brain barrier. Its primary action is to reduce the number of open channels, thus restricting influx of calcium ions into the cell. The usefulness of nimodipine in patients with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia and unspecified dementia is still controversial with mixed results. In spite of the uncertainties about its efficacy in dementia, nimodipine is currently a frequently prescribed drug for cognitive impairment and dementia in several European countries. This review will be conducted in two phases; the current review is based on evidence from published data only. The second phase will be based on individual-patient data analysed centrally and added to this review in due course.
Objectives: To determine the clinical efficacy of nimodipine for the symptoms of dementia, either unclassified or according to the major subtypes - Alzheimer's disease, vascular, or mixed Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
Selection criteria: All unconfounded, double-blind, randomised trials in which treatment with nimodipine was administered for more than a day and compared to placebo in patients with dementia, either unclassified or according to the major subtypes - Alzheimer's disease, vascular, or mixed Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
Background: Amodiaquine has been widely used to treat malaria. Due to reports of fatal adverse drug reactions, discontinuation or modification of its use has been suggested.
Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of amodiaquine for treating malaria.
Selection criteria: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing amodiaquine with other treatment for uncomplicated malarial infections in adults and children.
Background: Auranofin is an oral gold compound used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis RA. The use of auranofin has declined in the past few years, perhaps due in part to conflicting results from different studies.
Objectives: To estimate the short-term efficacy and toxicity of auranofin for the treatment of (RA) SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE up to December 1998, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) version 4, 1998, and the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group Specialized Register. A hand search was also done of the reference lists of the trials retrieved from the electronic search.
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing auranofin against placebo in patients with RA
Background: Non-malignant musculoskeletal pain is an increasing problem in western countries. Fibromyalgia syndrome is an increasing recognised chronic musculoskeletal disorder.
Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and widespread musculoskeletal pain among working age adults.
Selection criteria: From all references found in our original search, we selected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs). Trials had to assess the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for patients suffering from fibromyalgia and widespread musculoskeletal pain among working age adults. The rehabilitation program was required to be multidisciplinary; that is, it had to consist of a physician's consultation, plus a psychological, social or vocational intervention, or a combination of both.
Background: Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis is a cause of morbidity in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma, and rheumatologic disorders. Corticosteroid treatment causes bone loss by a variety of complex mechanisms. It has been shown that bone mineral loss at the hip averages 14% in the first year after starting corticosteroid therapy.
Objectives: To review the efficacy of calcitonin (subcutaneous or nasal) for the treatment and prevention of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.
Selection criteria: Two independent reviewers selected RCTs which met predetermined inclusion criteria.
Background: Nosocomial, late onset sepsis occurs in up to 50% of infants of less than 1000gm at birth. The commonest organism isolated is coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS). A number of studies have evaluated the efficacy or prophylactic low dose vancomycin given either as a continuous infusion added to the infant's hyperalimentation fluid or by intermittent intravenous administration and these studies in very low birth weight infants are the subject of this review.
Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of vancomycin prophylaxis for the prevention of late-onset sepsis, coagulase negative staphylococcal sepsis, mortality, and effects on length of stay, total vancomycin exposure, evidence of vancomycin toxicity, and the development of vancomycin resistant organisms in the preterm neonate.
Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials which compared the incidence of sepsis and mortality in preterm neonates receiving vancomycin prophylaxis versus a control group receiving no prophylaxis.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: In premature infants with threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) does peripheral retinal ablation, by any means, reduce the incidence of adverse ophthalmic outcome?
Selection criteria: All trials in human premature infants with threshold ROP utilizing random or quasi random allocation to either peripheral retinal ablation of the avascular retina, by any means, or concurrent control group with independent outcome assessment were initially selected for review. Following methodologic review, only studies using random allocation were selected for data extraction.
Objectives: To assess the short-term effects of azathioprine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials comparing azathioprine against placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Objectives: To estimate the short-term effects of D-penicillamine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials comparing D-penicillamine against placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Background: The mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia is the antipsychotic group of drugs. These are usually given orally but compliance with medication given by this route may be difficult to quantify. Problems with treatment adherence are common. The development of depot injections in the 1960s gave rise to their extensive use as a means of long-term maintenance treatment. Haloperidol decanoate is one depot drug available in clinical practice.
Objectives: To assess the effects of haloperidol decanoate versus oral anti-psychotics and other depot antipsychotic preparations for people with schizophrenia in terms of clinical, social and economic outcomes.
Selection criteria: All relevant randomised trials focusing on people with schizophrenia where haloperidol decanoate, oral anti-psychotics or other depot preparations were compared. Outcomes such as death, clinically significant change in global function, mental state, relapse, hospital admission, adverse effects and acceptability of treatment were sought.
Objectives: To perform a systematic review of low-dose corticosteroid efficacy in the moderate term for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Selection criteria: Studies were selected by two independent reviewers (LC, KS) using a set of predetermined criteria. Specifically, we required that trials be randomized or cross-over and report at least one of the following outcome measures in a quantitative manner: joint tenderness, joint swelling, grip strength, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). We also required that trials be of at least three months duration and use prednisone (or a comparable corticosteroid preparation) at a mean dosage of less than or equal to 15 mg/day. We included studies that used either placebo or active drug controls (i.e., comparative studies).
Objectives: To estimate the short-term effects of cyclophosphamide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing oral cyclophosphamide against placebo (or an active drug at a dosage considered to be ineffective) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To assess the effect of intratracheal administration of synthetic surfactant in premature newborns with established respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials which compared the effect of synthetic surfactant treatment to routine management in the treatment of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
Objectives: To determine the effects of available pharmacological interventions in treating the different clinical features of Behcet's syndrome.
Selection criteria: Studies were eligible if they fulfilled all of the four following criteria: 1. Randomized controlled trials, single or double-blind; 2. Participants were patients with Behcet's Syndrome as defined by the International Study Group, 1990 (Int Study Group, 1990); 3. Interventions included any pharmacological therapy compared to placebo or some other pharmacological intervention for the treatment of Behcet's syndrome. 4. Outcome measures included active ocular inflammatory processes, arthritis, mucocutaneous manifestations (oral ulcer, genital ulcer, erythema nodosum), laboratory changes and major events such as adverse effects and death.
Objectives: To estimate the short-term (up to one year) effects of cyclosporine for rheumatoid arthritis.
Selection criteria: All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing cyclosporine against placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Background: Observational studies have shown an association between transiently low thyroid hormone levels in preterm infants in the first weeks of life (transient hypothyroxemia) and an abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. Thyroid hormone therapy might prevent this morbidity.
Objectives: To assess whether thyroid hormone therapy in preterm infants without congenital hypothyroidism results in clinically important changes in neonatal and long term outcomes in terms of both benefits and harms.
Selection criteria: All trials using random or quasi-random patient allocation, in which thyroid hormone therapy (either treatment or prophylaxis) was compared to a control in premature infants.
Objectives: To estimate the short-term efficacy and toxicity of antimalarials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing antimalarials against placebo in patients with RA
Objectives: To estimate the short-term efficacy and toxicity of sulfasalazine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing sulfasalazine against placebo in patients with RA.
Objectives: To determine the effects and toxicity of prazosin versus placebo proposed for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in scleroderma.
Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials comparing prazosin versus placebo were eligible if they reported clinical outcomes from the start of therapy. Trials with a greater than 35% dropout were excluded. Trials were included if patients with diffuse or limited scleroderma were the subjects. If patients with other connective tissue diseases or primary Raynaud's were included, the trial was used if the data on the scleroderma patients could be extracted from the paper.
Objectives: To assess the effects and toxicity of Cyclofenil versus placebo for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in scleroderma.
Selection criteria: All randomized trials comparing cyclofenil versus placebo were eligible if they reported any clinical outcomes within the trial.
Objectives: To assess the effects and toxicity of the following agent: ketanserin versus placebo proposed for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in scleroderma.
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials comparing ketanserin versus placebo were eligible if they reported clinical outcomes of interest. Trials with dropout rates greater than 35% were excluded.
Objectives: To assess the effects and toxicity of the following agents:Prostaglandin analogues together with other agents proposed for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenom (RP) in scleroderma.
Selection criteria: All randomized controlled trials comparing prostaglandin analogues versus placebo were eligible if they reported clinical outcomes within the start of therapy, and if the dropout rate was less than 35%.
Objectives: To assess the effects of calcium and vitamin D compared to calcium alone or placebo in the prevention of bone loss in patients taking systemic corticosteroids.
Selection criteria: All randomized trials comparing calcium and vitamin D to calcium alone or placebo in patients taking systemic corticosteroids.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To determine whether the material used for construction of an umbilical arterial catheter influences the frequency of ischemic events, aortic thrombosis, mortality or necrotising enterocolitis in newborn infants.
Selection criteria: Randomized studies in newborn infants of any birthweight or gestation. Comparison of different catheter materials. Clinically important end points such as ischemic events, aortic thrombosis, or catheter occlusion.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: The purpose of the review was to compare the complications associated with intubation by the nasal route with those associated with intubation by the oral route for mechanical ventilation in newborn infants.
Selection criteria: All trials using random or quasi-random allocation of patients to either the nasal or oral route of intubation were included. Study quality and eligibility were assessed independently by each author.
Objectives: To estimate the short-term benefit and risk of side-effects of injectable gold for rheumatoid arthritis.
Selection criteria: Randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing injectable gold against placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To assess the effect of prophylactic intratracheal administration of natural surfactant extract in preterm newborns at risk for developing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials which compared the effect of prophylactic natural surfactant administration (surfactant obtained from human or bovine sources, either modified with additional phospholipids or not) administered to high risk preterm newborns at or shortly after birth in order to prevent respiratory distress syndrome, other complications of prematurity, and mortality.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To determine whether the design of an umbilical arterial catheter influences the frequency of ischemic events, aortic thrombosis, intraventricular hemorrhage, mortality or necrotising enterocolitis in newborn infants.
Selection criteria: Randomized trials in newborn infants of any birthweight or gestation. Comparison of end hole catheters with side hole catheters. Clinically important end points such as ischemic events or aortic thrombosis.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To determine whether the use of heparin in fluids infused through an umbilical arterial catheter in newborn infants influences the frequency of clinical ischemic events, catheter occlusion, aortic thrombosis, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypertension, death, or the duration of catheter usability.
Selection criteria: Randomized trials in newborn infants of any birthweight or gestation. Comparison of heparinised to non heparinised infusion fluids, including comparison of heparin in the infusate to heparin just in the flush solution. Clinically important end points such as catheter occlusion or aortic thrombosis.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To determine whether the position of the tip of an umbilical arterial catheter influences the frequency of ischemic events, aortic thrombosis, intraventricular hemorrhage, mortality or necrotising enterocolitis in newborn infants.
Selection criteria: Randomized trials in newborn infants of any birthweight or gestation. Comparison of high catheter placement with the tip above the diaphragm to a lower position just above the aortic bifurcation. Clinically important end points such as ischemic events or aortic thrombosis.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: Experimental studies suggest that high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) reduces pulmonary injury during mechanical ventilation. The main objective of this review is to test the hypothesis that by use of HFOV as compared to conventional ventilation (CV) it may be possible to rescue preterm infants with very severe lung disease and so at high risk of pulmonary air leak (PAL), without adverse effects.
Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials of HFOV vs CV as rescue therapy in preterm infants with severe pulmonary dysfunction.
Background: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue.
Objectives: To assess the effects of radiant warmers versus incubators (in the neonatal period) on fluid and electrolyte balance, neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Selection criteria: All randomised or quasi-randomised trials in which radiant warmers are compared to incubators in a neonatal population.
Background: Condylocephalic nails are intramedullary nails which are inserted up through the femoral canal from above the knee, for example Ender and Harris nails.
Objectives: To compare condylocephalic nails with alternative implants (extramedullary implants such as fixed nail plates and sliding hip screws, or other intramedullary nails) for the treatment of extracapsular hip fracture in adults.
Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing condylocephalic nails with other implants.
Background: Hip fracture patients have a high risk of thromboembolic complications following surgical management.
Objectives: To examine the effects of heparin (unfractionated (U), and low molecular weight (LMW) heparins), and physical methods (compression stockings, calf or foot pumps) for prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism after surgery for hip fracture in the elderly.
Selection criteria: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials evaluating the use of heparins and physical agents for prevention of DVT and pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture.
Objectives: To assess the effects of salazopyrin, auranofin, etretinate, fumaric acid, IMI gold, azathioprine, and methotrexate, in psoriatic arthritis.
Selection criteria: All randomized trials comparing salazopyrin, auranofin, etretinate, fumaric acid, IMI gold, azathioprine, and methotrexate, in psoriatic arthritis. The main outcome measures included individual component variables derived from Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT). These include Acute Phase Reactants, Disability, Pain, Patient Global Assessment, Physician Global Assessment, Swollen joint count, Tender joint count and radiographic changes of joints in any trial of 1 year or longer [Tugwell 1993], and the change in pooled disease index. Only English trials were included in the review.
Background: Gangliosides may have a protective effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of exogenous gangliosides in acute ischaemic stroke.
Selection criteria: Randomised trials of gangliosides compared with placebo or standard treatment in people with definite or presumed ischaemic stroke. Trials were included if people were randomised within 15 days of symptom onset and if mortality data were available.
Background: Growing ex-preterm infants who undergo general anesthesia for surgery at about term-equivalent age may have episodes of apnea, cyanosis and bradycardia during the early postoperative period. Caffeine treatment given at the time of operation might prevent these episodes.
Objectives: In ex-preterm infants who undergo general anesthesia for surgery, does the prophylactic use of caffeine prevent episodes of apnea, cyanosis and bradycardia during the postoperative period without clinically important side effects?
Selection criteria: All trials utilising random or quasi-random patient allocation, in which treatment was compared with placebo or no treatment, were included.
Background: Because placenta praevia is implanted unusually low in the uterus, it may cause major, and/or repeated, antepartum haemorrhage. The traditional policy of care of women with symptomatic placenta praevia includes prolonged stay in hospital and delivery by caesarean section.
Objectives: To assess the impact of any clinical intervention applied specifically because of a perceived likelihood that a pregnant woman might have placenta praevia.
Selection criteria: Any controlled clinical trial that has assessed the impact of an intervention in women diagnosed as having, or being likely to have, placenta praevia.
Background: In pregnancies complicated by diabetes the major concerns during the third trimester are fetal distress and the potential for birth trauma associated with fetal macrosomia.
Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of a policy of elective delivery, as compared to expectant management, in term diabetic pregnant women, on maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.
Selection criteria: All available randomized controlled trials of elective delivery, either by induction of labour or by elective caesarean section, compared to expectant management in diabetic pregnant women at term.