Abstract Clinicians, guideline developers, and policymakers sometimes neglect important criteria, give undue weight to criteria, and do not use the best available evidence to inform their judgments. Explicit and transparent systems for decision making can help to ensure that all important criteria are considered and that decisions are informed by the best available research evidence. The GRADE Working Group has developed Evidence to Decision (EtD) frameworks for the different type of recommendations or decisions. The purpose of EtD frameworks is to help people use evidence in a structured and transparent way to inform decisions in the context of clinical recommendations, coverage decisions, and health system or public health recommendations and decisions. EtD frameworks have a common structure that includes formulation of the question, an assessment of the evidence, and drawing conclusions, though there are some differences between frameworks for each type of decision. EtD frameworks inform users about the judgments that were made and the evidence supporting those judgments by making the basis for decisions transparent to target audiences. EtD frameworks also facilitate dissemination of recommendations and enable decision makers in other jurisdictions to adopt recommendations or decisions, or adapt them to their context. This article is a translation of the original article published inBritish Medical Journal. The EtD frameworks are currently used in the Clinical Practice Guideline Programme of the Spanish National Health System, co-ordinated by GuíaSalud.

Resumen Los médicos y quienes elaboran guías y políticas a veces pasan por alto criterios importantes, les dan un peso indebido o no usan la mejor evidencia disponible para informar sus juicios. Los sistemas explícitos y transparentes para la toma de decisiones pueden ayudar a garantizar que se consideren todos los criterios importantes, y que las decisiones estén basadas en la mejor evidencia disponible. El grupo de trabajo GRADE ha desarrollado marcos «de la evidencia a la decisión» (EtD) para los diferentes tipos de recomendaciones o decisiones. El objetivo de los marcos EtD es ayudar a los paneles a usar la evidencia de una manera estructurada y transparente para informar las decisiones respecto de las recomendaciones clínicas, decisiones de cobertura sanitaria y recomendaciones o decisiones sobre el sistema sanitario o sobre salud pública. Los marcos EtD tienen una estructura común: formulación de una pregunta, evaluación de la evidencia y conclusiones. No obstante, existen diferencias entre los marcos para cada tipo de decisión. Los marcos EtD informan a los usuarios sobre los juicios que se han hecho y la evidencia que los apoya dotando de transparencia la base para las decisiones de los que tienen que tomarlas. Los marcos EtD también facilitan la diseminación de las recomendaciones y permiten a los decisores de otros ámbitos adoptar recomendaciones o decisiones, o adaptarlas a su contexto. El siguiente artículo es una traducción del artículo original publicado enBritish Medical Journal. Los marcos EtD se utilizan actualmente en el marco del Programa de Guías de Práctica Clínica en el Sistema Nacional de Salud, coordinado por GuíaSalud.

Abstract Clinicians, guideline developers, and policymakers sometimes neglect important criteria, give undue weight to criteria, and do not use the best available evidence to inform their judgments. Explicit and transparent systems for decision making can help to ensure that all important criteria are considered and that decisions are informed by the best available research evidence. The GRADE Working Group has developed Evidence to Decision (EtD) frameworks for the different type of recommendations or decisions. The purpose of EtD frameworks is to help people use evidence in a structured and transparent way to inform decisions in the context of clinical recommendations, coverage decisions, and health system or public health recommendations and decisions. EtD frameworks have a common structure that includes formulation of the question, an assessment of the evidence, and drawing conclusions, though there are some differences between frameworks for each type of decision. EtD frameworks inform users about the judgments that were made and the evidence supporting those judgments by making the basis for decisions transparent to target audiences. EtD frameworks also facilitate dissemination of recommendations and enable decision makers in other jurisdictions to adopt recommendations or decisions, or adapt them to their context. This article is a translation of the original article published inBritish Medical Journal. The EtD frameworks are currently used in the Clinical Practice Guideline Programme of the Spanish National Health System, co-ordinated by GuíaSalud.

Resumen Los médicos y quienes elaboran guías y políticas a veces pasan por alto criterios importantes, les dan un peso indebido o no usan la mejor evidencia disponible para informar sus juicios. Los sistemas explícitos y transparentes para la toma de decisiones pueden ayudar a garantizar que se consideren todos los criterios importantes, y que las decisiones estén basadas en la mejor evidencia disponible. El grupo de trabajo GRADE ha desarrollado marcos «de la evidencia a la decisión» (EtD) para los diferentes tipos de recomendaciones o decisiones. El objetivo de los marcos EtD es ayudar a los paneles a usar la evidencia de una manera estructurada y transparente para informar las decisiones respecto de las recomendaciones clínicas, decisiones de cobertura sanitaria y recomendaciones o decisiones sobre el sistema sanitario o sobre salud pública. Los marcos EtD tienen una estructura común: formulación de una pregunta, evaluación de la evidencia y conclusiones. No obstante, existen diferencias entre los marcos para cada tipo de decisión. Los marcos EtD informan a los usuarios sobre los juicios que se han hecho y la evidencia que los apoya dotando de transparencia la base para las decisiones de los que tienen que tomarlas. Los marcos EtD también facilitan la diseminación de las recomendaciones y permiten a los decisores de otros ámbitos adoptar recomendaciones o decisiones, o adaptarlas a su contexto. El siguiente artículo es una traducción del artículo original publicado enBritish Medical Journal. Los marcos EtD se utilizan actualmente en el marco del Programa de Guías de Práctica Clínica en el Sistema Nacional de Salud, coordinado por GuíaSalud.

Background: In a previous study that incorporated post-lunch measurements to the conventional scheme of home-based blood pressure monitoring, we detected postprandial hypotension in about a quarter of hypertensive patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the postprandial change of systolic blood pressure, and the corresponding chronotropic response, associated to the control of hypertension. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 140 treated hypertensive patients, aged over 40 years, with home-based blood pressure monitoring. The control of hypertension was based on the average morning and evening blood pressure, considering 135/85 mmHg as cutoff value. Postprandial hypotension was defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 20 mmHg with respect to the preprandial value in at least one of three lunches. Results: Postprandial hypotension was found in 13.2% (n=10) of patients with controlled hypertension and in 42.2% (n=27) with uncontrolled hypertension (p<0.001). After lunch, the average decrease of systolic blood pressure was 9.5±10.5 mmHg (6.4%±7.8%) in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and 3.2±7.8 mmHg (2.6%±6.5%) in those with controlled hypertension (p<0.001), with no significant difference in the chronotropic response. After stratifying the patients by hypertension control, the postprandial response of heart rate and systolic blood pressure showed a significant inverse correlation in controlled hypertensive patients (r=-0.24; p=0.035), and a not significant correlation in uncontrolled patients. On the multiple linear regression analysis, lack of blood pressure control (beta=0.26, p=0.002) and female gender (beta=0.22; p<0.001) were significant predictors of a postprandial drop in systolic blood pressure, without a significant influence of age or number of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion: Lack of blood pressure control was associated with an abnormal postprandial circulatory response that predisposes to hypotension.

Introducción: En un estudio previo que incorporó mediciones posalmuerzo al esquema convencional de monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial hemos detectado hipotensión posprandial en alrededor de la cuarta parte de nuestros pacientes hipertensos. Objetivos: Comparar el cambio posprandial de la presión arterial sistólica, y la correspondiente respuesta cronotrópica, en relación con el control de la hipertensión. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron prospectivamente con monitoreo domiciliario de la presión arterial 140 pacientes hipertensos tratados, mayores de 40 años. El control de la hipertensión se basó en el promedio de la presión arterial matinal y la vespertina, tomando como valor de corte 135/85 mm Hg. Se consideró hipotensión posprandial cuando la presión arterial sistólica disminuyó 20 mm Hg o más respecto del valor preprandial en al menos uno de tres almuerzos. Resultados: Se detectó hipotensión posprandial en el 13,2% (n = 10) de los hipertensos controlados y en el 42,2% (n = 27) de los no controlados (p < 0,001). Después de los almuerzos, la presión arterial sistólica disminuyó en promedio 9,5 ± 10,5 mm Hg (6,4% ± 7,8%) en los hipertensos no controlados y 3,2 ± 7,8 mm Hg (2,6% ± 6,5%) en los controlados (p < 0,001), sin diferencia significativa en la respuesta cronotrópica. Al estratificar a los pacientes por el control de la hipertensión se observó una correlación inversa entre la respuesta posprandial de la frecuencia cardíaca y de la presión arterial sistólica en los controlados (r = -0,24; p = 0,035), sin relación significativa en los no controlados. En el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple, la falta de control de la hipertensión (beta = -0,26; p = 0,002) y el sexo femenino (beta = 0,22; p < 0,001) fueron predictores significativos de la caída posprandial en la presión arterial sistólica, sin influencia significativa de la edad o del número de fármacos antihipertensivos. Conclusión: La falta de control de la hipertensión se asoció con una respuesta circulatoria posprandial anormal que favorece la hipotensión.

Individual clinicians and organizations making health care decisions should not only consider the magnitude of the benefits and harms of different courses of action (interventions), but also the confidence we can have in those estimates. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach offers a systematic and transparent way to summarize the evidence, to rate the confidence we can have in the effects of the interventions and to move from evidence to recommendations. The GRADE approach has been adopted by several organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization and the Cochrane Collaboration. In Chile, this approach has already been used by guidelines produced by the Chilean Ministry of Health. In this paper we describe the core concepts of the GRADE approach to rate the quality of the evidence and to grade the strength of recommendations. As clinicians, being familiar with such concepts may be helpful to make decisions informed by the best available evidence.

Odds Ratio (OR) is an effect measure frequently used to communicate results of health research. Mathematically, OR is the quotient between two odds, being odds an alternative way to express possibility of occurrence of an outcome or presence of an exposition. From a methodological perspective, OR can be calculated from prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional designs, and under certain conditions it can replace the Relative Risk. Based on a series of questions and examples, this article explains theoretical and methodological grounds underlying the concept of OR, in order to facilitate its interpretation for clinicians and researchers.

Odds Ratio (OR) es una medida de efecto comúnmente utilizada para comunicar los resultados de una investigación en salud. Matemáticamente un OR corresponde a un cociente entre dos odds, siendo un odds una forma alternativa de expresar la posibilidad de ocurrencia de un evento de interés o de presencia de una exposición. Desde un punto de vista metodológico, los OR pueden ser calculados en diseños prospectivos, retrospectivos y transversales, y bajo ciertas condiciones pueden reemplazar al Riesgo Relativo. En base a una serie de preguntas y ejemplos, el presente artículo explica los fundamentos matemáticos y metodológicos subyacentes al concepto de OR, con el objetivo de facilitar su interpretación a clínicos e investigadores.

BACKGROUND Hot flushes are common in women with a history of breast cancer. Hormonal therapies are known to reduce these symptoms but are not recommended in women with a history of breast cancer due to their potential adverse effects. The efficacy of non-hormonal therapies is still uncertain. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of non-hormonal therapies in reducing hot flushes in women with a history of breast cancer. METHODS Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), Medline, Embase, Lilacs, CINAHL, PsycINFO (August 2008) and WHO ICTRP Search Portal. We handsearched reference lists of reviews and included articles, reviewed conference proceedings and contacted experts. Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing non-hormonal therapies with placebo or no therapy for reducing hot flushes in women with a history of breast cancer. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently selected potentially relevant studies, decided upon their inclusion and extracted data on participant characteristics, interventions, outcomes and the risk of bias of included studies. MAIN RESULTS Sixteen RCTs met our inclusion criteria. We included six studies on selective serotonin (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibitors, two on clonidine, one on gabapentin, two each on relaxation therapy and homeopathy, and one each on vitamin E, magnetic devices and acupuncture. The risk of bias of most studies was rated as low or moderate. Data on continuous outcomes were presented inconsistently among studies, which precluded the possibility of pooling the results. Three pharmacological treatments (SSRIs and SNRIs, clonidine and gabapentin) reduced the number and severity of hot flushes. One study assessing vitamin E did not show any beneficial effect. One of two studies on relaxation therapy showed a significant benefit. None of the other non-pharmacological therapies had a significant benefit. Side-effects were inconsistently reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Clonidine, SSRIs and SNRIs, gabapentin and relaxation therapy showed a mild to moderate effect on reducing hot flushes in women with a history of breast cancer.

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common diseases in early infancy and childhood. Antibiotic use for AOM varies from 56% in the Netherlands to 95% in the USA and Australia. Objectives: To assess the effects of antibiotics for children with AOM. Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, 2008, issue 2) which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) Group's Specialized Register; MEDLINE (1966 to June week 4 2008); OLDMEDLINE (1958 to 1965); EMBASE (January 1990 to July 2008); and Current Contents (1966 to July 2008). Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials comparing 1) antimicrobial drugs with placebo 2) immediate antibiotic treatment with observational treatment approaches in children with AOM. Data collection and analysis: Three review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Main results: We found 10 trials (2928 children) from high income countries with low risk of bias. Pain was not reduced by antibiotics at24 hours, but was at two to seven days, (relative risk (RR) 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.83). However four trials (1271 children) comparing antibiotics prescribed immediately rather than initial observation found no difference at three to seven days. Antibiotics did not reduce tympanometry, perforation or recurrence. The only case of mastoiditis was in an antibiotic treated child. Vomiting, diarrhoea or rash was higher in children taking antibiotics (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.76). Individual patient data meta-analysis of a subset of the included trials found antibiotics to be most beneficial in children: aged less than two; with bilateral AOM and with both AOM and otorrhoea. Authors' conclusions: Antibiotics slightly reduce the number of children with acute middle ear infection experiencing pain after a few days. However, most (78%) settle spontaneously in this time, meaning 16 children must be treated to prevent one suffering ear pain. This benefit must be weighed against the possible harms: 1 in 24 children experience symptoms caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics are most useful in children under two years of age, with bilateral AOM, and with both AOM and discharging ears. For most other children with mild disease, an expectant observational approach seems justified. We have no data on populations with higher risks of complications.

Introduction: Medical literature has experienced an important growth in past years, and otorhinolaryngology has not been the exception. However, international studies have revealed that most articles published in journals of this specialty correspond to study designs with a high risk of bias. Aim: To evaluate all articles published in the journal of Revista Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, according to the study design, area of the specialty that is involved and place where the studies were conducted. Material and method: Two reviewers independently analyzed the original articles published in this journal from 2003 to 2008. Results: Case series design was the most commonly used, with 62.9% of the studies. 31.4% of the articles were about otology/neurotology and 78.1% were performed in an educational and academic center where otorhinolaryngology specialists are trained. Discussion: Articles published in the selected journal corresponded mainly to studies with a high risk of bias. There is an imbalance in the areas of the specialty that have been studied, and also in the places where these studies have been conducted.

Introducción: La literatura médica ha aumentado exponencialmente en los últimos años, y la otorrinolaringología no ha estado ajena a este fenómeno. Sin embargo estudios internacionales revelan que la mayoría de los artículos publicados en revistas de esta especialidad corresponden a diseños de estudio con un alto riesgo de sesgo. Objetivo: Evaluar las publicaciones de la Revista Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello, con respecto al diseño de los estudios incluidos, tema de la especialidad a la cual se refieren y lugar donde se realizaron los estudios. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo donde dos revisores analizaron de manera independiente todos los artículos publicados en esta revista durante los años 2003 a 2008. Resultados: El diseño de serie de casos fue el más utilizado, con 62,9%. El 31,4% de los trabajos abordó un tema de otología/otoneurología y 78,1% de los artículos fueron realizados en un centro formador de especialistas en otorrinolaringología. Discusión: Los artículos publicados en la revista seleccionada corresponden principalmente a estudios con alto riesgo de sesgo. En la actualidad existe un desbalance importante entre los temas que están siendo estudiados, y también entre los centros donde se está llevando a cabo la investigación en otorrinolaringología.

A special Committee on Internal Medicine and Public Health was established by Sociedad Médica de Santiago (Chilean Society of Internal Medicine) in April 2007 with the duty to write a Consensus Paper on the interaction between both branches of medical profession. The main objective was to find the common grounds on which to construct a positive approach to regain space for Internal Medicine, based on prevalent epidemiológica! features related to adult health issues. The authors describe the reasons to explain the gap between clinical medicine and population health and identify the nature and evolution of chronic diseases as the point of encounter between both. With Chilean health surveys data, they state that chronic diseases explain the high proportion of burden of disease, mortality and disability, and stress that by the year 2025 one in every five inhabitants will be over 65years of age, with ageing as another main problem for the health care sector. Population with multiple risks and multimorbidity is the most important challenge for the Chilean Health Care System. A new model of care is needed to tackle this scenario with new skills regarding psychosocial determinants of health. The leading role of internists and ideally geriatricians, will be crucial in this process and will help the implementation of sound population based interventions. Both individual and community level interventions will help to improve quality of life of Chilean families.

The amount of information in health care has steadily grown in the past years and this trend will probably continue in the near future. Traditional ways to keep updated are no longer sufficient, particularly in broad areas of knowledge as Internal Medicine or Family Medicine. Therefore, it is necessary to use new approaches. The present article describes five proposals for the clinician that tries to maintain updated but feels overwhelmed by the amount of available information.

Background & Aims: Norfloxacin is highly effective in preventing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis recurrence in cirrhosis, but its role in the primary prevention of this complication is uncertain. Methods: Patients with cirrhosis and low protein ascitic levéis (<15 g/L) with advanced liver failure (Child-Pugh score >9 points with serum bilirubin level >3 mg/dL) or impaired renal function (serum creatinine level >1.2 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen level >25 mg/dL, or serum sodium level <130 mEq/L) were included in a randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing norfloxacin (35 patients) vs placebo (33 patients) in the primary prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The main end points of the trial were 3-month and 1-year probability of survival. Secondary end points were 1-year probability of development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome. Results: Norfloxacin administration reduced the 1-year probability of developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (7% vs 61%, P <0.001) and hepatorenal syndrome (28% vs 41%, P 0.02), and improved the 3-month (94% vs 62%, P 0.003) and the 1-year (60% vs 48%, P 0.05) probability of survival compared with placebo. Conclusions: Primary prophylaxis with norfloxacin has a great impact in the clinical course of patients with advanced cirrhosis. It reduces the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, delays the development of hepatorenal syndrome, and improves survival.