Key Message

• Eight systematic reviews with network meta-analysis were identified that compared newer biologics with older biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. There was extensive overlap of primary studies across the systematic reviews and network meta-analyses.
• Newer biologics such as secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab and risankizumab were more favourable compared to older biologics (adalimumab, etanercept, and ustekinumab) in reaching 90% or 100% skin clearance, as measured with the Psoriasis Area Severity Index. The risk of side effects was similar between the newer and older biologics.​

Key Message

• The 2 included studies reported conflicting findings regarding weight gain, length, and time to regained birth weight in moderate-to-late preterm neonates weighing 1,500 g or more at birth treated with peripherally administered parenteral nutrition (P-PN) versus 10% dextrose or dextrose-containing fluids. However, both studies reported no statistically significant difference in safety and other measures such as head circumference, time to full enteral feeds, and length of hospital stay between the treatment groups.
• The strength of the evidence was limited because analyses of the outcomes did not include measures that could minimize false-positive results, and a definitive conclusion could not be drawn regarding the clinical effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for a term or moderate-to-late preterm neonates weighing 1,500 g or more at birth.
• No relevant evidence-based guidelines regarding using TPN in term or moderate-to-late preterm neonates weighing 1,500 g or more at birth was identified.​

Key Message

Low- to moderate-quality clinical evidence suggested that heart failure clinics were associated with significant reductions in all-cause mortality, reductions in heart failure‒related hospitalization, better guideline-directed medical therapy management, and higher adherence to heart failure medications compared to usual care. The findings for all-cause hospitalization were mixed.

One low-quality economic study in Denmark found that heart failure clinics were associated with higher costs but no significant difference in mortality rates compared with the usual care. Another moderate cost-effectiveness analysis study in Canada revealed that heart failure clinic interventions were cost-effective compared to standard care, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio below the willingness-to-pay threshold.

Key Message

No evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of MRI-compatible ventilators and physiological monitors for ventilated patients during MRI was identified.No evidence-based guidelines associated with the use of MRI-compatible ventilators and physiological monitoring for ventilated adult patients during MRI exams were found.

Key Message

In community-dwelling older adults who wore hip protectors there was no difference in the risk of hip fractures or pelvic fractures, compared to those who did not wear hip protectors.

Three guidelines were identified that include recommendations around the use of hip protectors in older adults. One guideline suggests that hip protectors should be considered in adults at risk for falls and hip fracture. One guideline conditionally recommends hip protectors for frail older adults in the appropriate environment. One guideline suggests that hip protectors should not be considered in older adults in community settings.

Key Message

• One systematic review, 4 primary studies (observational studies: 3 retrospective and 1 prospective), and 1 economic evaluation were identified.
• A definitive conclusion is not possible regarding the clinical effectiveness of anesthesia provided by non-physician anesthetists compared with physician anesthetists, considering the evidence was from studies of low quality that were associated with considerable risk of bias, and there were inconsistencies in the findings.
• The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for physician anesthesiologists compared with nurse anesthetists was US$77,400 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. The 1-way sensitivity analyses showed that with an increase in the cost of nurse anesthetist professional services or an increase in the number of unexpected hospital days, the ICER values would fall below US$50,000 per QALY gained.​

Key Message

Codeine and codeine-containing medicines are used to treat people experiencing pain or cough symptoms. Whereas most products containing codeine require a prescription in Canada, some jurisdictions permit over-the-counter sales of products containing low doses of codeine mixed with other non-narcotic medicinal ingredients.

Three overviews of reviews and 13 systematic reviews of variable methodological quality failed to identify studies on the effectiveness of low-dose codeine (i.e., 8 mg of codeine per tablet or 20 mg of codeine per 30 mL in liquid products) for the treatment of pain or coughs.

There is a lack of evidence on the clinical effectiveness of oral analgesics and oral antitussives containing low doses of codeine.