Gastroenterology
Q&A
Taper proton pump inhibitor to once daily for GERD
BACKGROUND: PPIs provide very effective, but expensive, therapy for GERD. Many people start on more than once-daily dosing.
Q&A
Extended-release oxybutynin and tolterodine treat overactive bladder
BACKGROUND: Overactive bladder is characterized by symptoms of urgency and frequency with or without involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence...
Clinical Inquiries
What regimens eradicate Heliobacter pylori?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Fourteen-day triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) plus clarithromycin and either amoxicillin or metronidazole...
Clinical Inquiries
Does breastfeeding protect against viral GI infections in children <2 years old?
EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: While breastfeeding protects against all-cause diarrhea in infants1- 5 (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on...
Q&A
Anticholinergics reduce symptoms of overactive bladder
BACKGROUND: Clinicians often use anticholinergic agents as the drugs of choice for overactive bladder. However, there is no consensus regarding...
Q&A
Omeprazole and placebo have same long-term effect on dyspepsia
BACKGROUND: Currently, approximately 80% of primary care physicians prescribe a course of antisecretory therapy for patients with uninvestigated...
Q&A
Ephedra and ephedrine: Modest short-term weight loss, with a price
BACKGROUND: The US Department of Health and Human Services requested an analysis of the past studies of products containing ephedrine and ephedra...
Q&A
Analgesics do not interfere with diagnosing abdominal pain
BACKGROUND: For years physicians have withheld pain medication from patients with abdominal pain to avoid interfering with a surgical evaluation...
Applied Evidence
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Q&A
Comparing celecoxib with traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
BACKGROUND: Is celecoxib more effective or better tolerated than traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications? NSAIDs are often used for...
Q&A
Lansoprazole ineffective for functional dyspepsia
Wong WM, Wong BC, Hung WK, et al. Double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study of four weeks of lansoprazole for the treatment of functional...