Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: latest opinions on epidemiology, rapid diagnosis and management.

Purpose Of Review: This review addresses the escalating global challenge of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on its complex comorbidity with HIV/AIDS. Emphasizing the urgency of the issue, the review aims to shed light on the unique healthcare landscape shaped by the convergence of high prevalence rates and intersecting complexities with HIV/AIDS in the region.

Recent Findings: A notable increase in MDR-TB cases across Sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to challenges in timely diagnoses, treatment initiation, and patient treatment defaulting.

Building capacity for network meta-analysis in Sub-Saharan Africa: reflections and future direction.

Robust, relevant, comprehensive, and up-to-date evidence syntheses are the cornerstone for evidence-informed healthcare decisions. When considering multiple treatment options, network meta-analysis (NMA) systematic reviews play a key role in informing impactful decisions and clinical practice guidelines. However, the capacity and literacy to conduct NMA systematic reviews and interpret its results remains out of reach for many clinicians and review authors, especially in low-to-middle-income countries.

Ketamine as adjunctive or monotherapy for post-intubation sedation in patients with trauma on mechanical ventilation: A rapid review.

Background: The effectiveness of ketamine as adjunctive or monotherapy for post-intubation sedation in adults with trauma on mechanical ventilation is unclear.

Methods: A rapid review of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials, then randomized controlled trials or observational studies was conducted searching three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) and one clinical trial registry on June 1, 2022. We used a prespecified protocol following Cochrane rapid review methods.

Machine learning algorithms for predicting determinants of COVID-19 mortality in South Africa.

Background: COVID-19 has strained healthcare resources, necessitating efficient prognostication to triage patients effectively. This study quantified COVID-19 risk factors and predicted COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in South Africa based on machine learning algorithms.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from 392 COVID-19 ICU patients enrolled between 26 March 2020 and 10 February 2021.

Signal of harm in morphine use in adults with acute pulmonary oedema: A rapid systematic review.

Background: Heart failure affects nearly 65 million people globally, resulting in recurrent hospital admissions and substantial healthcare expenditure. The use of morphine in the management of acute pulmonary oedema remains controversial, with conflicting guidance and significant variation in practice. Synthesised evidence is needed to inform standard treatment guidelines and clinical practice.