The Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD)

CRD is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and is a department of the University of York. CRD, which was established in 1994, is one of the largest groups in the world engaged exclusively in evidence synthesis in the health field. CRD undertakes systematic reviews evaluating the research evidence on health and public health questions of national and international importance.  They produce the DARE, NHS EED and HTA databases which are used extensively by health professionals, policy makers and researchers around the world.  They also undertake methods research and produce internationally accepted guidelines for undertaking systematic reviews.

CRD databases updated
In the week of 14/02/13 to 20/02/13, 22 new records were added to the DARE database.

Abstracts of the week - a selection

• Effects of folic acid supplementation on overall and site-specific cancer incidence during the randomised trials: meta-analyses of data on 50 000 individuals.   The review concluded that folic acid supplementation did not substantially increase or decrease incidence of site-specific cancer during the first five years of treatment. These conclusions represent a fair reflection of the available data and appear likely to be reliable.
• Hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.38-0.45 versus crystalloid or albumin in patients with sepsis: systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.  This review concluded that the use of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.38-0.45 in patients with sepsis increased use of renal replacement therapy, red blood cell transfusions and serious adverse events compared to human albumin or crystalloid. The authors' conclusions reflect the results of the review and appear likely to be reliable.
• Adverse cardiovascular effects of concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  This review found that the use of proton-pump inhibitors with clopidogrel, for patients with coronary artery disease, was associated with increased risks of major adverse cardiac events and acute coronary syndrome. In general, the review was well conducted and the authors' conclusions are likely to be reliable.
• Smoking cessation interventions for patients with depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  The authors concluded that there were several promising interventions, but the evidence was from small subgroup analyses. Patients with depression could stop smoking and should be offered behavioural mood management and nicotine replacement therapy. The authors' tentative conclusion reflects the evidence presented and seems to be reliable.
• Telehealth in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review.  This review found insufficient evidence on the role of telehealth interventions for patients with cystic fibrosis. The review was generally well conducted and the authors' conclusion was appropriate.
• The efficacy and safety of melatonin in concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy for solid tumors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.  The authors concluded that melatonin as an adjuvant therapy for solid tumour cancer led to substantial improvements in tumour remission, one-year survival, and alleviation of radiochemotherapy-related side effects. Although the results were based mainly on small single-centre studies, the authors' conclusion reflects the moderate-quality evidence presented and seems likely to be reliable.

Website: University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination