How accurate are cognitive assessment tools, that are completed by people themselves, at detecting dementia? Key messages - The evidence suggests that cognitive assessment tools that are completed by people themselves could be used in the detection and diagnosis of dementia. - There is not enough evidence to recommend one type of assessment tool over another. - Further research on the use of these assessment tools in different settings, such as clinics or people's homes, and the scores that indicate dementia is needed. Why is improving the detection of dementia important? The number of...

What are the effects of sex and gender on outcomes after kidney transplantation? Key messages • There may be no differences in the loss of a transplanted kidney (a surgical procedure where a kidney is transferred from one person - the donor - to another person - the recipient), death, acute or chronic rejection (the body's immune system attacking the transplanted kidney), or the incidence of cancer between male and female kidney transplant recipients (the definition of “male” or “female” based on biological differences). • Only one study investigated gender (defined as the sociocultural...

Are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) effective for treating symptomatic uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women? Key messages • Compared to antibiotics (medicines used to treat a wide range of infections or diseases caused by bacteria), NSAIDs (medicines that reduce inflammation, pain and fever) probably result in less short-term resolution of urinary tract infection symptoms (1 to 4 days), and may result in less medium-term resolution of symptoms (5 to 10 days). • NSAIDs may result in a longer duration of symptoms and probably result in more women needing antibiotic...

Clustering of care activities for promoting development and preventing morbidity in hospitalized preterm infants This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of clustering of care activities for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants. This is a protocol....

What are the advantages and disadvantages of restricting fluids in babies who are born premature and with a patent ductus arteriosus? Key Messages: There is no evidence for or against reducing fluids as a treatment option for patent ductus arteriosus in premature babies. We need randomized controlled trials that answer our question to help inform clinical decisions. What is patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)? The ductus arteriosus is an extra blood vessel that runs between the heart and lungs in babies before birth and just after. In order for the heart and lungs to work properly after birth,...

Peer-supported interventions for people with spinal cord injury This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To assess the effects of peer-supported interventions on quality of life and self-management compared with control (i.e. usual care, no intervention, or other supportive or psychosocial interventions) in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Secondary objective To assess the effects of peer-supported interventions on health service utilisation, secondary health conditions, mood disorders, and social participation compared...

Financial incentives for family members of hospitalized neonates for improving family presence This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the benefits and harms of financial incentives for improving family engagement on family members of neonates receiving hospitalized care. This is a protocol....

GALAD, or des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin compared with alpha-foetoprotein for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in people with chronic liver disease This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (diagnostic). The objectives are as follows: To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, GALAD (Gender, Age, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP, AFP and DCP), and alpha-foetoprotein for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma of any size, and at any stage, in adults with chronic liver disease, in either a surveillance programme or a clinical setting. We acknowledge...

Dose reduction and discontinuation of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for people with psoriatic arthritis in remission or low disease activity This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the benefits and harms of dose reduction or discontinuation of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in adults with psoriatic arthritis who are in remission or a low disease activity state. This is a protocol....

How accurate are different types of sample collection for diagnosing COVID-19 infection? Key messages • When used with RT-PCR tests (a molecular test that detects genetic material in COVID-19 using a technique called reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction), self-collected gargle and deep throat saliva samples have a similar sensitivity compared to trained healthcare worker-collected nasopharyngeal samples (taken from the back of the throat through the nose) in detecting COVID-19. • When used with RT-PCR, samples collected from the nose, oropharynx (throat via the mouth), oral...

Are there differences between migrant women and men in how they access, understand, appraise and apply health information? Key messages - A full exploration of whether differences exist between migrant women and men in how they access, understand, appraise and apply health information was not possible, particularly due to there being very little research with migrant men. - Three studies conducted with migrant women indicated that particular gender roles in different communities and cultures can influence how health information is accessed, understood and applied. What did we want to find...

Treatments for RYR1-related disorders This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To analyse the benefits and harms of pharmacological or other interventions (e.g. special diet, exercise programme) compared with placebo or standard care for RYR1-related disorders, including both permanent myopathies and intermittent (episodic) presentations (exertional myalgia and rhabdomyolysis), with the aim to improve motor and respiratory function and/or to reduce the frequency of episodes, respectively. Secondary objectives To assess whether...

What are the benefits and risks of intravenous versus oral iron for treating iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy? Key messages Intravenous iron is likely better at treating anaemia caused by a lack of iron during pregnancy than oral iron. Intravenous iron may result in little to no difference in heavy bleeding after childbirth and likely results in little to no difference in need for blood transfusion compared to oral iron. Serious unwanted effects were rare and may not be increased with intravenous iron compared to oral iron. What is iron deficiency anaemia? Iron deficiency anaemia is a...

What are the benefits and risks of azathioprine (a type of medication that affects the body's immune response) for people with multiple sclerosis? Key messages - It is unclear if azathioprine (medication that affects the body's immune response) provides more benefits overall than other medicines for multiple sclerosis, like interferon (natural proteins made by the body to treat infection). Azathioprine may reduce the number of people experiencing relapses compared to interferon. - People taking azathioprine over two years may be more likely to experience serious harmful effects than...

Infant positioning for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of infant positioning, nesting, and swaddling for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants. This is a protocol....

Does a strategy of extended-duration blood thinners for preventing the development of blood clots in the legs and lungs improve the outcomes of patients admitted to the hospital for an acute medical illness? Key message Extending blood thinners beyond the hospital stay (after discharge) decreased the probability of developing blood thrombi (blood clots) in the legs and emboli (blood clots) in the lungs at the expense of an increased risk of major bleeding. What is venous thromboembolism (VTE)? Venous thrombosis is when a blood thrombus (blood clot) is formed in a vein. This can cause...

Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in people receiving cancer treatment: photobiomodulation This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of photobiomodulation for the prevention of oral mucositis in people undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers, other solid cancers, and haematological cancers. This is a protocol....

Interventions to prevent wound infections after heart surgery Key messages - The overall quality of evidence supporting interventions to reduce surgical site infection in adult heart surgery is poor. Studies used varying definitions for wound infection, which meant that it was difficult to make any comparison between these. - Significant knowledge gaps exist around the implementation of interventions to reduce surgical site infection in adult patients undergoing heart surgery. What is a surgical site infection? A surgical site infection (SSI) or wound infection as defined by the Centers for...

Continuation versus discontinuation of intravenous oxytocin in the active phase of labour This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of discontinuing intravenous oxytocin stimulation in pregnant women during the active phase of induced or augmented labour. This is a protocol....

Molecular biomarkers for predicting complete response to preoperative chemoradiation in people with locally advanced rectal cancer This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (prognosis). The objectives are as follows: Primary objectives To identify and estimate the prognostic value of molecular biomarkers as predictors of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in people with locally advanced rectal cancer. Table 1 summarises the review question in population, index prognostic factor, comparator prognostic factor(s), outcome, timing, and setting (PICOTS) format....