Cochrane Library Podcasts

The Cochrane Skin Group has prepared nearly 90 full reviews of the effects of interventions for a wide range of skin conditions. One of these was updated for the third time in May 2017, to present the latest evidence on the viral infection, molluscum contagiosum. The lead author, Hans van der Wouden, from the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute in the Netherlands, describes the latest findings in this podcast.

Most Cochrane Reviews examine the effects of healthcare interventions, but some look at other aspects of healthcare systems, such as how to help people access health services. In a new review in November 2017, a team of university researchers from Canada, Germany, India, New Zealand and the United States examine the possible role for unconditional cash transfers. One of the team, Sze Yan Liu from Weill Medical College at Cornell University in the US, tells us what they found in this podcast.

Some women who have ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction will experience an adverse effect called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or OHSS. There are several Cochrane Reviews of strategies to prevent this and a new overview in January 2017 brings together the findings from these systematic reviews. The lead author, Selma Mourad from Radboud University Medical Centre in Nijmegen in the Netherlands summarises this large evidence base in this podcast.

Point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests which use a small amount of blood are available for infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV, and make an important contribution to patient management. Cochrane Reviews of the accuracy of such tests have influenced World Health Organization (WHO) policy and, in May 2017, they were added to with a new Cochrane Diagnostic Test Accuracy review of rapid tests for typhoid and paratyphoid fevers. Lalith Wijedoru from the Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool in UK tells us more in this podcast.

Children who are exposed to trauma can experience serious mental health problems and a variety of psychological therapies have been tried to prevent these outcomes. In October 2016, Donna Gillies from the Western Sydney Local Health District in Australia and colleagues brought the evidence together in a new Cochrane Review and she tells us more in this podcast.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive and sight-threatening disease affecting the central area of the retina. Two updated Cochrane Reviews from July 2017 present the evidence for the use of antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent it or slow down progression. Lead author, Jenny Evans from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK tells us more in this podcast.

The other Cochrane Review this podcast refers to can be found here:
Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive and sight-threatening disease affecting the central area of the retina. Two updated Cochrane Reviews from July 2017 present the evidence for the use of antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent it or slow down progression. Lead author, Jenny Evans from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK tells us more in this podcast.

The other Cochrane Review this podcast refers to can be found here:
Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements to slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

People with cystic fibrosis are particularly susceptible to chest infections, some of which can become chronic. It’s important, therefore to try to find treatments for these infections and an updated Cochrane Review from the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group examines the evidence for the use of antibiotics. Alan Smyth, a Coordinating Editor for the Group, based in University of Nottingham in the UK, is one of the authors of this April 2017 review update. He tells us more in this podcast.

Up to one in four couples planning a baby may have difficulty conceiving. Several interventions are available that might help and Cochrane keeps many of these under review. In July 2017, the Cochrane Review of antioxidants for female subfertility was updated and we asked one of the authors, Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor from the Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand to tell us about the rationale for the review and the latest evidence.

Alongside thousands of Cochrane Reviews showing the beneficial effects of certain healthcare interventions are some that investigate how to organize and deliver this care. In July 2017, Chantal Arditi from Cochrane Switzerland in the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine in Lausanne, and others updated one of these: a review of computer-generated reminders delivered on paper. We asked her to bring us up to date in this podcast.