Clinical Inquiries
Clinical Inquiries
Do antiarrhythmics prevent sudden death in patients with heart failure?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Beta-blockers (class II antiarrhythmics) reduce sudden death and total mortality in patients with heart failure (strength...
Clinical Inquiries
Do nasal decongestants relieve symptoms?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Oral and topical nasal decongestants result in a statistically significant improvement in subjective symptoms of nasal...
Clinical Inquiries
Is screening for lead poisoning justified?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against universal screening of young children for lead poisoning in high-...
Clinical Inquiries
Heat or ice for acute ankle sprain?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: For grade 3 and 4 ankle sprains, ice works better than heat to speed recovery (return to play) (strength of recommendation...
Clinical Inquiries
How should patients with mitral regurgitation be followed?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Patients with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation should be assessed periodically for a worsening condition; those with...
Clinical Inquiries
Does glucosamine relieve arthritis joint pain?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Glucosamine may provide some pain relief. Studies have shown varied results, ranging from glucosamine being superior or...
Clinical Inquiries
Are nasal steroid sprays effective for otitis media with effusion?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME) with nasal steroids is not recommended (strength of recommendation [SOR]=A,...
Clinical Inquiries
Is neurosurgery referral warranted for small brain aneurysms?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: The risk of rupture of a small cerebral aneurysm (<10 mm) is very low in asymptomatic patients who have never had a...
Clinical Inquiries
What findings distinguish acute bacterial sinusitis?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: No combination of clinical findings can reliably distinguish acute viral rhinosinusitis from acute bacterial rhinosinusitis...
Clinical Inquiries
Do imaging studies aid diagnosis of acute sinusitis?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Accurate diagnosis of acute sinusitis in both children and adults depends on the history and clinical examination of the...
Clinical Inquiries
How effective is desmopressin for primary nocturnal enuresis?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Desmopressin reduces the number of nights of primary noctural enuresis by at least 1 per week, and increases the likelihood...