INTRODUCTION The efficacy of steroid administration before planned tracheal extubation in critical care patients remains controversial with respect to the selection of patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. METHODS We performed an extensive literature search for adult trials testing steroids versus placebo to prevent reintubation or laryngeal dyspnoea. Studies were evaluated on ...

BACKGROUND Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recognized as an evidence-based treatment in improving dyspnea and quality of life in patients with COPD. We evaluated the number needed to treat (NNT) to achieve an increase in physical capacity, as defined by a significant improvement in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with COPD undergoing PR. METHODS The study enrolled 284 patients ag...

CONTEXT Ongoing efforts to improve the quality of reporting for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) include the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement. We examined the frequency of explicit reporting of the number needed to treat (NNT) and the absolute risk reduction (ARR) in RCTs. METHODS Five frequently cited journals were investigated: Annals of Internal Medicine, B...

When comparing two groups, one receiving an experimental intervention and the other a placebo or nothing, researchers often wish to assess the disparity in risk of experiencing an event of interest, such as onset of disease. Relative risk, relative risk reduction, and odds ratio are often used to measure the association between potential benefit or harm and the intervention. However, these summ...

Background: The predisposing and prognostic factors for neonatal tetanus (NNT) have not been adequately studied in southernIran. Objective: The present study was undertaken in Fars Province to further clarify the status of neonatal tetanus in this region. Methods: The mortality rate was correlated with demographic and clinical findings in 112 cases of neonatal tetanus.  In addition, the height ...

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of rigorously evaluated treatments for infant colic. Methods. Online bibliographic databases were searched for the term “colic” in articles classified as clinical trials or randomized controlled trials and conducted in infants. Reference lists from review articles, meta-analyses, and the selected articles were also reviewed for potential studies. The ab...

Purpose: Breast Cancer (BC) is considered as one of the most dangerous diseases, especially in women. The survivability patient a challenging task if breast cancer severe stage. It very much essential for early classification ultrasound images (BUIs) into several categories such benign (BN), malignant (MG) and normal (NL), etc. so that preventive measures can be taken accordingly at earliest. A...

Abstract Background and purpose Absolute treatment effects of novel oral antidiabetic drugs for cardiovascular outcomes have thus far not been comprehensively evaluated. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis digitalized individual patient data. Methods results Individual from Cardiovascular Outcome Trials (CVOTs) evaluating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1...

Abstract Background Episodes of acute agitation can occur in individuals who suffer from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and these be a significant challenge for patients those provide care to them. Sublingual dexmedetomidine is selective alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist that was recently approved by the US Food Drug Administration treatment adults with disorder. The sublingual form does no...