PICO/CAT Table
PA-Port 1
1 | In elderly patients with recurrent pleural effusions, is therapeutic thoracentesis preferred over surgical intervention for maintaining optimal quality of life? |
2 | In asymptomatic patients with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome is catheter ablation preferred over pharmacologic intervention for management of the condition? |
3 | In patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), does hyperbaric oxygen therapy compared to traditional oxygen therapy enhance the ability of patients with COPD to exercise at a higher exercise intensity? |
4 | In patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy are alpha 1 adrenergic agonists more effective than Saw Palmetto at alleviating symptoms of urinary retention? |
5 | In patients with a history of pilonidal cysts is excision preferred over conservative treatment for management of symptoms? |
6 | In patients diagnosed with mild-moderate asthma, is the use of a SABA/ICS during asthma flare-ups more likely to result in adverse outcomes compared to the use of ICS-Formoterol? |
Mini-CAT#1: In patients with Parkinson’s disease, does Deep Brain Stimulation compared to medical management with levodopa improve motor symptoms and ability to perform activities of daily living?
PA-Port 2
1 | In patients undergoing hernia repair surgery, does the administration of prophylactic antibiotics versus no antibiotics reduce the incidence of postoperative complications such as surgical site infections? |
2 | In patients with varicose veins, is sclerotherapy better at preventing recurrence of varicosities compared to endovenous ablation? |
3 | In patients who undergo uncomplicated surgical procedures, is the use of topical antibiotics versus topical over the counter ointments more effective at promoting wound healing and reducing postoperative complications? |
Mini-CAT #2: In adult smokers seeking to quit, how does nicotine replacement therapy compare to varenicline in terms of smoking cessation rates/long-term abstinence?
PA-Port 3
1 | In women w/ symptomatic fibroids, does the use of a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) compared to oral contraceptives result in greater reduction in menstrual bleeding and overall improvement in fibroid-related symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, dyspareunia, or dyschezia? |
2 | In patients with a history of preterm birth, is the use of vaginal progesterone more effective than cervical cerclage in reducing the incidence of preterm birth in future pregnancies? |
3 | In pregnant women, how does vaping/electronic cigarette use during pregnancy compared to not using vapes or electronic cigarettes affect fetal outcomes? |
CAT#3: In post-menopausal women, how does use of vaginal estrogen versus no treatment affect rates of vaginitis and UTI?