Sliding-scale insulin used for blood glucose control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Sliding-scale insulin has been widely used in treating inpatient hyperglycemia. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and possible adverse effects of sliding-scale insulin in hospitalized patients.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.

Recombinant human thyrotropin before (131)I therapy in patients with nodular goitre: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) can be used to enhance radioiodine therapy for shrinking multinodular goitre. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of rhTSH pretreatment and radioiodine therapy with that of radioiodine alone for treating benign nodular goitre.

Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.

Evaluation of a vancomycin dosing nomogram in achieving high target trough concentrations in Taiwanese patients.

Background: The use of a vancomycin dosing nomogram is an alternative and more cost-effective method to conventional dosing; it reliably allows the achievement of trough vancomycin serum concentrations of 5-15 mg/l, with a successful clinical response. Recent guidelines have further recommended that the trough concentration be maintained at 15-20mg/l for complicated infections. However, to date no published nomogram has been constructed to achieve the optimal trough of 15-20mg/l in an Asian population.

Clinical and economic impact of a pharmacist-managed i.v.-to-p.o. conversion service for levofloxacin in Taiwan.

Objective: A pharmacist-managed antibiotic intravenous to oral (i.v.-top.