Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: lessons from a guideline

Article Abstract:

The process of developing guidelines for the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) by the American Society of Hematology was as educational as its contents are informative. ITP is an autoimmune disease that destroys blood platelets. Even though ITP is a common blood disorder very little is known conclusively about it. However, the panel decided to publish these treatment guidelines with the understanding that the recommendations are based on available anecdotal evidence and to suggest avenues for future research. There appear to be many patient scenarios where there simply is no evidence-based treatment course.

Care and treatment, Editorial, Analysis, Practice guidelines (Medicine), Thrombocytopenic purpura

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Predicting clinical states in individual patients

Article Abstract:

Doctors should use care when applying a probability model to individual patients. Probability models predict the likelihood that specific medical conditions will arise in specific patient populations based on documented research. Selection of an appropriate probability model should include an evaluation of whether the patient and the potential condition matches the studied population and whether all patient information is available to do the necessary calculations. The model should be reliable and be able to account for other risk factors including chance.

Models, Usage, Medicine, Mathematical models

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News from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors

Article Abstract:

The Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals are now available on the World Wide Web at www.icmje.org. Three recent changes include a discussion on race and ethnicity, authorship issues, and the use of reporting guidelines for specific types of studies.

Standards, Manuscripts, International Committee of Medical Journal Editors

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