Immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy for early triple-negative breast cancer This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors or PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy for people with early triple-negative breast cancer. This is a protocol....

Direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors for acute coronary syndromes: a network meta-analysis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the acute-phase efficacy and safety of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors in people with ACS during hospitalisation, with rank ordering by using network meta-analysis. This is a protocol....

The impact of remaining (residual) disease after surgery on the survival prognosis for women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer Review question We aimed to assess the effect on survival (the 'prognostic impact') of the amount of disease remaining after surgery (residual disease) during the initial treatment stage for women with advanced ovarian cancer. We looked at both surgery before chemotherapy ('primary debulking surgery') followed by adjuvant (additional) chemotherapy and chemotherapy first ('neoadjuvant chemotherapy') followed by surgery ('interval debulking surgery'). This review...

Laser therapy for hypertrophic and keloid scars What was studied in the review? Hypertrophic and keloid scars are raised and bumpy scars that form when a wound does not heal correctly. These scars can be discoloured or reddened and can also cause pain and itching. A range of treatments are available, including silicone gels and steroids. Laser therapy may be an alternative treatment for these types of scars. During laser therapy, areas of skin are targeted by a powerful beam of light which can break down damaged tissue. Different types of laser therapy are available depending on the...

Acupuncture for treating overactive bladder in adults Review question Is acupuncture a safe and effective treatment for treating overactive bladder in adults? Background Overactive bladder is the term used to describe a group of urinary symptoms, including an urgent need to pass urine, frequent voiding (emptying), urinary incontinence and waking one or more times at night to pass urine (nocturia). Sufferers may have one or more of these symptoms. Overactive bladder is a common complaint and can affect both men and women of any age, though it is more common in older people. Treatment can...

Exercise for the treatment of anxiety in children and adolescents This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: 1. To estimate the treatment effect of exercise interventions for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders compared to control (e.g. no treatment, waitlist, attention placebo, naturalistic usual care), on remission, symptoms, safety and acceptability outcomes. 2. To estimate the treatment effect of exercise interventions for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders compared to other existing anxiety treatments (e.g....

Community-based interventions for bite prevention, improved care-seeking and appropriate first aid in snakebite This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of community-based interventions for snakebite prevention, improved care-seeking and appropriate first aid in snakebite. This is a protocol....

Synbiotics, prebiotics (dietary fibre) or probiotics (good bacteria) for people with a solid organ transplant Key messages People who receive an organ transplant (heart, kidney, liver, lung, or pancreas) experience long-lasting, severe bowel and gut symptoms after their surgery from the medications (severe diarrhoea, severe constipation, heartburn and reflux, gas, bloating, and stomach cramps). We believe these medications can cause a change in the gut flora (a change in the balance of the good and bad bacteria) which causes severe bowel symptoms. To improve the balance of the gut flora,...

Is the combination nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir effective for treating or preventing COVID-19? Key messages Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid®) is evaluated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir may lead to fewer deaths and improve patient condition, as assessed by need for hospitalization or death within 28 days. Data are only available for non-vaccinated people at increased risk for disease progression receiving treatment within five days of symptom onset. We found eight ongoing studies. We will update our search every month. What is...

Debulking hysterectomy followed by chemoradiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy for FIGO (2019) stage IB3/II cervical cancer What is the issue? Cervical cancer arises from the neck of the womb (cervix). Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women, with an estimated 570,000 new cases in 2018. The majority of the burden of the disease is in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As it mostly occurs in younger women (mostly 25 to 30 year-olds in the UK), the disease has significant adverse effects on women and the global socioeconomic situation as a whole. Cervical...

Sphincterotomy for people with biliary sphincter of Oddi dysfunction This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of any type of endoscopic sphincterotomy in people with biliary sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, compared to placebo; sham operation; any pharmaceutical treatment, administered orally or endoscopically, alone or in combination; or a different type of endoscopic sphincterotomy. This is a protocol....

Denosumab for preventing fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the benefits and harms of denosumab, compared to placebo or other active comparators, for preventing fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. This is a protocol....

Fluvoxamine for treating COVID-19 Review question Is fluvoxamine an effective treatment for people with COVID‐19 and does it cause any unwanted effects? Key messages It is unclear whether fluvoxamine is an effective treatment for COVID-19 in people with mild to moderate COVID-19. This is because there is currently not enough research available to make a definite decision. We found five ongoing studies that are currently investigating fluvoxamine as a possible treatment for COVID‐19, and two studies for which we need more information. We will update this review if their results change our...

Ergonomic interventions for treating work-related complaints of the arm, neck or shoulder in adults This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the effect of ergonomic interventions for work-related complaints of the arm, neck or shoulder (CANS) in adults on pain, function and work-related outcomes. This is a protocol....

Interventions to increase immunosuppressant medication adherence after a solid organ transplant What is the issue? Solid organ transplantation refers to the transplantation of the heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas or liver. After a solid organ transplant, immunosuppressant medication works to suppress the immune system and ensure the short and long-term survival of the organ transplant. Taking the immunosuppressant medication at the correct time and at the correct dose is a critical part of post-transplant care. However, non-adherence to immunosuppressant medication is frequent and can be a...

Endovascular therapy versus medical treatment for spontaneous isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery Key message There is not enough evidence to compare the benefits and harms of the two main options for treating people with spontaneous dissection of the mesenteric artery (SIDSMA). Why is this question important? Blood vessels are made up of different layers. If one of these layers rips or ruptures, blood can flow between the layers, pushing the layers apart and creating two channels for the blood to flow through, which stops the blood from delivering oxygen and nutrients. A...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues for overweight or obese adults This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues on overweight or obese adults. This is a protocol....

Prevention of infection in peripheral arterial reconstruction of the lower limb This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, including antimicrobial therapy, antisepsis, and wound management, for the prevention of infection in people undergoing any open or hybrid lower limb peripheral arterial reconstruction. This is a protocol....

Interventions for treating head lice: a network meta-analysis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the comparative efficacy, safety and tolerability of pharmacological, physical, or other combinations of interventions in use for the treatment of head lice. To establish amongst the used treatments which are the most effective therapies for the treatment of head lice according to their effectiveness and safety, through a network meta‐analysis. This is a protocol....

Point-of-care diagnostic tests for sickle cell disease This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows: To determine the accuracy of point-of-care tests (POCT) to screen sickle cell disease (SCD). To determine the accuracy of the different POCT techniques to screen SCD. Secondary objectives To compare the accuracy of POCT to screen SCD in different settings, i.e. controlled laboratory and field settings. To determine the accuracy of POCT to screen SCD in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. This is a protocol....