K S Khan

..trial registration: actrn12609000198224...

..Our objective was to determine the methodological quality of test accuracy studies in obstetrics and gynaecology using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) checklist and to assess sources of bias...

..The objective of this study was to determine the quality of reporting in diagnostic test accuracy studies in obstetrics and gynaecology using the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy--STARD checklist...

..This study systematically reviews the accuracy literature on sentinel node biopsy; ultra sound scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) for determining lymph node status in endometrial cancer...

..We systematically reviewed worldwide literature on the prevalence of different types of CPP to assess the geographical distribution of data, and to explore sources of variation in its estimates...

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..The objective was to provide a systematic review of the effectiveness of community-level interventions to reduce maternal mortality...

..This study aims to identify the determinants of attending ANC and the association between attendance and behavioural and perinatal outcomes (live births and healthy birthweight) for women in the Kwale region of Kenya...

..We aim to determine the accuracy of various tests to predict complications of pre-eclampsia by systematic quantitative reviews...

..The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the accuracy of five serum analytes used in Down's serum screening for prediction of pre-eclampsia and/or small for gestational age...

..Systematic reviews can serve as a tool in translation of basic life sciences research from laboratory to human research and healthcare. The extent to which reviews of animal research are systematic and unbiased is not known...

..In this study we will examine these potential benefits in four clinical diagnostic problems in the field of gynaecology, obstetrics and reproductive medicine...

..In this article, we present Meta-DiSc, a Windows-based, user-friendly, freely available (for academic use) software that we have developed, piloted, and validated to perform diagnostic meta-analysis...

..There have been no randomized controlled trials comparing computer based sessions with traditional lectures at postgraduate level within medicine...

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..We conducted a systematic review of assessment tools for EBM TTT courses. To summarise and appraise existing assessment methods for teaching the teachers courses in EBM by a systematic review...

..To evaluate the educational effects of a clinically integrated e-learning course for teaching basic evidence-based medicine (EBM) among postgraduates compared to a traditional lecture-based course of equivalent content...

..We aimed to develop a course for post-graduate education which is clinically integrated and allows maximum flexibility for teachers and learners...

..We developed and evaluated the outcomes of an e-learning course for evidence based medicine (EBM) training in postgraduate medical education in different languages and settings across five European countries...

..This review assesses the methodological features of existing systematic reviews in maternal medicine, comparing Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews in maternal medicine...

..We aim to determine the accuracy with which the amount of proteinuria predicts maternal and fetal complications in women with pre-eclampsia by systematic quantitative review of test accuracy studies...

..Therefore, we performed this study to assess the measures of accuracy used for reporting results of primary studies as well as their meta-analysis in systematic reviews of test accuracy studies...

..Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become an important competency in many allied and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) health care practitioners' professional standards of proficiency...

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..The various chapters will provide readers with clinical advice generated from critically appraised information that has been identified as addressing relevant questions...

..This paper describes the use of a systematic approach to collation, appraisal and synthesis of information contained in the primary literature about accuracy of diagnostic strategies...

..The proposed framework makes decisions about screening and prevention explicit...

..There is a need for a clear hierarchy of educational activities to effectively impart and acquire competence in EBM skills. This paper develops such a hierarchy based on current empirical and theoretical evidence...

..To evaluate the reporting of multivariable logistic regression analyses and assess variations in quality over time in the obstetrics and gynecology literature...

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..To determine the cost-effectiveness of alternative screening and prevention strategies, including rapid intrapartum testing, for prevention of early-onset neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in the UK...

..Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis using individual patient data (IPD) to provide the most comprehensive and reliable assessment of the effectiveness of LUNA...

..To estimate in a systematic review of the literature the diagnostic value of ultrasound and Doppler blood flow velocity in the evaluation of fetal anaemia...

..To determine the relative effectiveness of second generation ablation techniques in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding...

..The weakest link in production of good-quality critical appraisals was identification of relevant articles. This should be a focus for evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal skills...

..The objective of this systematic review with bivariate meta-analysis was to evaluate the accuracy of middle cerebral artery Doppler for prediction of compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing...

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..To determine the effectiveness of aspirin to prevent preeclampsia in women identified as high risk for preeclampsia by an abnormal second-trimester uterine artery Doppler examination...

..Implementation of more complex POC testing is technically feasible, but it is expensive, and may be difficult to achieve in a busy delivery suite...

..Screening for congenital heart defects (CHDs) relies on antenatal ultrasound and postnatal clinical examination; however, life-threatening defects often go undetected...

..This suggests that opinion regarding the relative roles of abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic methods is divided. Hence, a rigorous randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of these methods is practicable and urgently needed...

..To assess if mode of delivery is associated with increased symptoms of anal incontinence following childbirth...

..We present critical issues that need to be considered when evaluating and appraising test-treatment combinations, using the example of research on the uterine artery Doppler test to predict, and aspirin to prevent, pre-eclampsia...

..Congenital lower urinary tract obstruction is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Antenatal detection has improved with advances in ultrasound technology, and has allowed the option of antenatal intervention...

..The most widely held 'prior belief', reflected in both questionnaire and numerical responses, was that LUNA would have a small beneficial effect on pain...

..CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of barriers was helpful in developing plans for implementation of evidence-supported ward rounds. The pilot study indicates the feasibility of this approach...

..Response rates to surveys are declining and this threatens the validity and generalisability of their findings. We wanted to determine whether paper quality influences the response rate to postal surveys..

..To identify combinations of tests and treatments to predict and prevent spontaneous preterm birth...

..To determine the accuracy, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and optical immunoassay (OIA) rapid tests for maternal group B streptococcal (GBS) colonisation at labour...

..To determine the accuracy of outpatient endometrial biopsy in diagnosing endometrial hyperplasia in women with abnormal uterine bleeding...

..Congenital urinary tract obstruction can lead to perinatal mortality and morbidity. Assessing antenatal ultrasound features may help identify fetuses likely to suffer complications...

..A recommendation for practice cannot be generated without further rigorous research...

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..To determine the accuracy with which the absence of fetal breathing movements on ultrasound examination predicts spontaneous preterm birth in women with threatened preterm labor...

..The evidence is of a relatively poor quality and lacks clinically important reference standards...

..For symptomatic women there was a paucity of data, although the degree of funneling appeared to be predictive of spontaneous preterm birth...

..To evaluate the test accuracy of ductus venosus Doppler for prediction of compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing...

..Until recently, the reference standard for a definitive diagnosis was histology of hysterectomy specimens. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may allow accurate non-invasive diagnosis...

..To evaluate the association between umbilical cord pH at birth and long term outcomes...

..This systematic review is the result of our work to provide such a summary...

..Operative interruption of nerve trunks in the uterosacral ligaments by laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) is a treatment option for patients with chronic pelvic pain...

..This article provides tips for teachers to teach clinical trainees the final two steps of EBM: integrating evidence with clinical judgement and bringing about change...

..Logit pairs of sensitivity and specificity of each study were analysed in a single model, accounting for their correlation due to differences in threshold between studies...

..Despite the great possibility of publication bias in studies of diagnostic test research, empirical studies about publication bias have mainly focused on studies of treatment effect...

..To assess the accuracy with which antenatal maternal anthropometric measurements predict the risk spontaneous preterm birth...

..To determine current practice regarding removal of endometrial polyps...

..This paper describes the development of the educational curriculum, evaluates its success, and appraises its methods critically...

..However, to draw robust conclusions, well-designed trials are needed that focus on curriculum content and delivery as well as how outcomes are assessed...

..However, a negative result at < or = 5 mm cut-off level measuring both endometrial layers in the presence of endometrial pathology rules out endometrial pathology with good certainty...

..To estimate the effect of prenatal bladder drainage on perinatal survival in fetuses with lower urinary tract obstruction...

..To determine the accuracy with which a cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin test predicts spontaneous preterm birth in women with or without symptoms of preterm labour...

..To develop a multivariable approach to determine the added value of tests in routine practice where some diagnostic information is already available from clinical history...

..e. on issues which are of importance to patients and reflect their experiences and concerns (clinical face validity). The objective was to assess the quality of QoL instruments in studies of menorrhagia...

..However, there is a continuing debate about the value of this technology in the diagnosis of serious endometrial disease...

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..We conducted a systematic review to examine the hypothesized mechanism through which homocysteine could lead to preeclampsia...

..We investigated the accuracy of fetal umbilical artery Doppler to predict the risk of compromise of fetal/neonatal wellbeing in a high-risk population...

..Vaginoscopy, also known as the 'no-touch' technique, is an alternative method for performing hysteroscopy without the need for a vaginal speculum to view the cervix or cervical instrumentation to grasp and steady the cervix...

..To develop and test a simple MEDLINE search strategy for identification of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in obstetrics and gynecology...

..To assess the effects of aromatase inhibitors in women symptomatic of pain with endometriosis...

..Continuous evaluation helps to improve them further...

..These steps are illustrated using a published review concerning the cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin test...

..To evaluate the effects of standalone versus clinically integrated teaching in evidence based medicine on various outcomes in postgraduates...

..Using the mean regression line for STP (skin to peritoneum), a safe insertion distance was identified and a nomogram developed which can be used to objectively predict the depth of the peritoneal cavity...

..To assess the validity of ultrasound estimation of fetal weight at term...

..Guidelines exist for the management of endometriosis. Validated and reliable appraisal tools exist to assess the quality of guidelines...

..To determine the most cost-effective outpatient testing strategy for diagnosing endometrial cancer in women with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB)...

..Before opinions about its use become solidified, there is a window of opportunity to launch a large multicentre randomised controlled trial to address the current equipoise...

..To determine the accuracy of minimally and non-invasive tests to assess the groin node status in squamous cell vulvar cancer...

..To evaluate the clinical usefulness of analysis of fetal urine in the prediction of poor postnatal renal function in cases of congenital urinary tract obstruction...

..In particular, commercial sites do not provide information about simple preventative treatments. There is a need to be vigilant about the quality of health information about COPD on the Internet...

..To empirically evaluate bias in estimation of accuracy associated with delay in verification of diagnosis among studies evaluating tests for predicting endometrial hyperplasia...

..Therefore, it is not possible to make meaningful inferences about accuracy at higher urine dipstick thresholds. There is an urgent need for research in this area of common obstetric practice...

..Therefore, in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding where symptoms persist despite negative biopsy, further evaluation will be warranted...

..To assess the quality of information provided to consumers by websites marketing medical home diagnostic tests...

..We assessed the relationship between the pattern of perinatal loss in twin pregnancy and chorionicity...

..The aim of this paper was to evaluate the existence and magnitude of decrease in neurodevelopmental scores in SGA and FGR infants born at term from a systematic review of the existing literature...