BACKGROUND WHO regulations, dating back to 1951, emphasise the role of expert opinion in the development of recommendations. However, the organisation's guidelines, approved in 2003, emphasise the use of systematic reviews for evidence of effects, processes that allow for the explicit incorporation of other types of information (including values), and evidence-informed dissemination and impleme...

OBJECTIVES: The low micronutrient content of complementary foods is associated with growth faltering in many populations. A potential low-cost solution is the home fortification of complementary foods with Sprinkles (SP) powder, crushable Nutritabs (NT) tablets, or energy-dense (108 kcal/d), fat-based Nutributter (NB). The objective was to test the hypothesis that multiple micronutrients added ...

Brazil is expected to have 19.6 million patients with diabetes by the year 2030. A key concept in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is establishing individualized glycemic goals based on each patient's clinical characteristics, which impact the choice of antihyperglycemic therapy. Targets for glycemic control, including fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and glyca...

Toothpaste can be used as a vehicle for substances to improve the oral health of individuals and populations. Therefore, it should be recommended based on the best scientific evidence available, and not on the opinion of authorities or specialists. Fluoride is the most important therapeutic substance used in toothpastes, adding to the effect of mechanical toothbrushing on dental caries control....

AIM To review the evidence for optimal oxygen use in preterm infants. RESULTS Clinicians have embraced lower saturation targets to minimize retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Large randomized trials now have shown that while such targets reduce ROP, neonatal mortality is increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS Preterm infants should be resuscitated with blended oxygen (30-90%) targeted to avoid...

Expectations regarding self-determination in medical care have risen, alongside the anticipation of an expanded role for patients as consumers in meeting policy goals--such as those surrounding health care costs, quality, and outcomes. These expectations are fueled, and potentially supported, by a rise in easily accessible information on medical care. For example, numerous government and privat...

objevtive: this comment article reviews the literature to explore whether the use of ect for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence can be justified by scientific rationale and/or evidence. method: this article reviews the literature on the use of ect in addictive disorders. it describes a patient with methamphetamine dependence treated with ect. it then offers a historical review of the m...

Correspondence: Joseph G Verbalis Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology, and Chief, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Georgetown University Medical Center, Building D, Suite 232, 4000 reservoir road Nw, washington, DC 20007, USA Email [email protected] Introduction: The available treatment options for euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia are limi...

In their review of the use of evidence in hypertension guidelines, Parker and Glasziou point out that failure to measure blood pressure in both arms may lead to delay in diagnosis or inadequate treatment of high blood pressure. However, only 30% of GPs agree with recommendations to measure blood pressure in both arms, and even fewer actually do it. Similarly, it is important to see if patients ...