What are the benefits and risks of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Key messages • When compared to placebo, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) may make young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) feel better overall, but the effects of the medicines on joint function, pain, disease control, and harm are uncertain. • We are uncertain about the benefits and harms of TNFi when compared to another medicine called methotrexate. • More high-quality studies are needed to understand the benefits and harms of TNFi in JIA. What is juvenile idiopathic...

What are the effects of angioplasty or stenting in people with deep vein thrombosis? Key messages ⦁ The effects of angioplasty or stenting for people with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are unclear. ⦁ Further larger studies are needed to determine whether angioplasty and stenting are safe and effective treatments for people with DVT. What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected leg. DVT can also lead to serious complications, such as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) (a chronic...

How accurate is carbon dioxide detection in establishing if a tube inserted through the nose or mouth has been accidentally placed in the airway instead of the stomach in children? Key message • There is not enough evidence to suggest that carbon dioxide (CO₂) testing should be added to current checking procedures. • More studies are needed to determine if CO₂ testing is beneficial for children undergoing insertion of an enterogastric tube. Why is it important to know if the tube is accidentally placed in the airway? The insertion of a thin, flexible plastic tube through the nose or mouth...

Does treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists prevent complications for people with chronic kidney disease and diabetes? Key messages • For people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work effectively) also having diabetes (a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high) increases the chances of early death, heart attack, stroke and reduces a person's quality of life. • Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) (medicines used to lower blood glucose) probably reduce the risk of death due to any cause but may...

Can breastfeeding support interventions that target depression prevent the development of depression after childbirth? Key messages - Psychosocial breastfeeding support interventions may prevent some cases of postpartum (postnatal) depression in mothers one to three months after the support has been received and increase the duration of breastfeeding seven to 12 months after the support has been received. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect on other mental health and breastfeeding outcomes. - The evidence is very uncertain about the impact of alternative breastfeeding...

What are the benefits and harms of TNF inhibitors for people with psoriatic arthritis? Key messages Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) – a group of medicines that help reduce inflammation – are probably more effective than placebo (an inactive or 'dummy' medicine) in treating people with psoriatic arthritis who did not benefit from treatment with first-line immunosuppressants (medicines that prevent the activity of the immune system, such as methotrexate). High-quality studies comparing TNF inhibitors with second-line immunosuppressants, and studies that evaluate the effects of TNFi in...

Oral nicotine pouches for cessation or reduction of use of other tobacco or nicotine products This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objectives To evaluate the benefits and harms of oral nicotine pouches when used to help people transition away from combustible tobacco use (smoking) To evaluate the impact of oral nicotine products on the prevalence of combustible tobacco use Secondary objectives To evaluate the benefits and harms of oral nicotine pouches when used to help people transition away from other non-combustible...

Microsurgical versus complex physical decongestive therapy for chronic breast cancer-related lymphoedema This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of microsurgery versus complex physical decongestive therapy in people with chronic breast cancer-related lymphoedema. This is a protocol....

Graded activity for chronic low back pain This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of graded activity compared to placebo, sham, or no treatment for pain and function in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain. This is a protocol....

Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To investigate whether acupuncture is more effective than 'sham' (placebo) acupuncture, no preventative treatment or routine care only, or other interventions, in reducing headache frequency in people with episodic migraine. This is a protocol....

Can self-management programs improve the quality of life in adults with low vision? Key messages Self-management programs (types of education or training that help people learn how to manage their own health) may not improve health-related or vision-related quality of life measures in adults with low vision. The evidence is uncertain, and more research is needed to confirm these findings. What is visual impairment? Visual impairment refers to a condition where a person's eyesight is reduced and cannot be corrected using eye glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. This leads to difficulties in...

Is ‘prophylactic transarterial embolization’ (blocking blood vessels as a precaution) effective to prevent a peptic (stomach) ulcer bleeding again following earlier successful endoscopic treatment (with a tube through the mouth into the stomach)? Key messages - Prophylactic transarterial embolization (blocking blood supply to the ulcer as a precaution) may make little to no difference in reducing rebleeding, need for reoperation, or death for people whose bleeding peptic ulcer had been successfully treated with endoscopy (a tube through the mouth into the stomach), but length of stay in...

What are the effects of colchicine in preventing cardiovascular events before they ever occur? Key messages • The benefits and harms of colchicine in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease before it ever occurs remain unclear. • Further research is needed before any strong conclusions can be made. Colchicine and cardiovascular disease Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), a condition marked by lipid accumulation (buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances) on the artery walls, which is often made worse by chronic inflammation disorders, is a major cause of death...

Prognostic value of blood eosinophils for predicting survival and treatment outcomes in people with non-small cell lung cancer This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (prognosis). The objectives are as follows: To assess the prognostic value of measuring pretreatment baseline blood eosinophil levels in adults receiving systemic treatment for any stage of non-small cell lung cancer. This is a protocol....

Radiofrequency treatment for chronic knee pain in people with knee osteoarthritis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of radiofrequency treatment of the genicular nerves in people with chronic knee pain due to knee osteoarthritis. This is a protocol....

Education and training interventions for healthcare workers to prevent sexual harassment This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effectiveness of education and training interventions on improving knowledge and skills for managing sexual harassment, and to assess their impact on the incidence of sexual harassment towards healthcare workers in healthcare settings. We will include all forms of sexual harassment committed by patients, visitors, and co-workers. This is a protocol....

Penetrating versus non-penetrating mesh fixation in laparoscopic groin hernia repair­ This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of penetrating versus non-penetrating mesh fixation in adults receiving laparoscopic groin hernia repair. This is a protocol....

Psychosocial interventions for smoking cessation in people with coronary heart disease This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To examine the benefits and harms of different types of psychosocial interventions for smoking cessation in people with CHD. Secondary objectives To examine the benefits and harms of psychosocial interventions aimed solely at smoking cessation compared with multi-risk factor interventions for smoking cessation in people with CHD. To examine the benefits and harms of brief (duration of < one month)...

What are the benefits and harms of transfusions of blood and blood products for managing postpartum haemorrhage? Key messages The best time for women to begin receiving an allogeneic blood transfusion (where blood from a donor is injected into the woman's bloodstream through a vein) to reduce complications from excessive blood loss within 24 hours of birth (postpartum haemorrhage) is unknown. The effect of blood products (substances produced from whole blood) instead of, or in addition to, whole blood transfusion on reducing complications of postpartum haemorrhage is largely uncertain. What...

What are the effects of precision nutrition-based interventions for managing obesity in children and adolescents? Key messages • It is unclear if precision nutrition (diets or foods tailored to people based on characteristics related to individual biology and environment) has an effect on weight change measured as body weight or body mass index (BMI) (a percentile measure of someone's weight relative to the average for a given age) in children and adolescents with obesity. • Further research, including large studies, is needed to understand the effects of precision nutrition-based...