PMID: 11605889Oct 19, 2001Paper

Evidence for action? Patterns of clinical and public health research on tuberculosis in South Africa, 1994-1998

The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
V PillayJ Volmink

Abstract

To describe patterns of clinical and public health research into tuberculosis in South Africa from 1994-1998, and to assess the quality of studies of diagnostic accuracy and treatment. MEDLINE and the African Health Anthology were searched for journal articles published from 1994-1998 reporting clinical and public health research into tuberculosis in South Africa. Information extracted from the reports included research setting, study design, aspects of the quality of study design and reporting, and evidence of attention to statistical power. One hundred and thirty-five eligible studies were identified; 39 (28.9%) of the studies were case reports or case series. Important methodological flaws were identified in studies of diagnosis and treatment that compromised the validity of the study results. Of the 28 studies assessing interventions, 10 (35.7%) were randomised controlled trials with only one reporting adequate allocation. Of the 34 studies assessing diagnosis, 16 (47.0%) were cross-sectional assessments of diagnostic accuracy, and none reported that comparison of the reference standard was independent or blind. Fifty-four (79.4%) of the analytical studies with statistically non-significant results showed no evidence of con...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.