New studies of the treatment of neuropathic pain have increased the need for an updated review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to support an evidence based algorithm to treat neuropathic pain conditions. Available studies were identified using a MEDLINE and EMBASE search. One hundred and five studies were included. Numbers needed to treat (NNT) and numbers needed to harm ...

BACKGROUND Randomized trials have established statins as an agent for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to assess the hypothesis that standard-dose statin therapy has a beneficial effect in normocholesterolemic diabetic patients with CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS A prospective, randomized, open, blinded-endpoint trial was conducted from 2002 to 2004 at 55 ho...

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials suggest that cyclo-oxygenase-2 specific inhibitors (coxibs) are an effective treatment for acute postoperative pain. The aims of this systematic review were to examine the evidence for oral valdecoxib and injected parecoxib, and quantify efficacy and adverse effects. METHODS: Information from randomized, double-blind studies in acute postoperative pain was sought. Th...

BACKGROUND Clozapine is widely used for people with schizophrenia. Although agranulocytosis, weight gain, and cardiac problems are serious problems associated with its use, hypersalivation, sometimes of a gross and socially unacceptable quantity, is also common (30-80%). OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical effects of pharmacological interventions for clozapine-induced hypersalivation. SEAR...

In reply to the letter of DM Fleming, dated 13 December 2005, in which he raises the issue of selection bias, we would like to point out that the randomisation prevented selection bias, although some residual bias (or confounding) cannot be precluded in small trials such as ours. That, for example, was the reason why we adjusted for a slight, but important imbalance in the age distributions bet...

BACKGROUND: Individual patient meta-analysis to determine the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of single-dose rofecoxib in acute postoperative pain. METHODS: Individual patient information was available from 14 trials; 13 in dental and one in postsurgical pain. For each patient the percentage of maximum possible pain relief (%maxTOTPAR) was determined at different time points. The proport...

BACKGROUND There are no consistent agreements on whether radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) could provide local control and survival benefit for older patients with early breast cancer or breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy after BCS in older patients with early breast cancer or DCIS. RESULTS Radiotherapy cou...

INTRODUCTION The main purpose of emergency department (ED) management for renal colic is prompt pain relief. The present study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of intravenus (IV) ketofol with morphine in management of ketorolac persistent renal colic. METHODS This study is a single blind randomized, clinical trial, on patients who were presented to ED with renal colic, whose pain was re...

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents are recommended as second-line therapy for patients with axial spondyloarthropathies. This analysis reviewed data on studies investigating the efficacy and tolerability of anti-TNF agents in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who had failed first-line non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) treatment. Efficacy data from RCT...