Question Is fluvoxamine effective in preventing hospitalizations in high-risk adults with COVID-19? Conclusion In this study, compared with placebo, fluvoxamine decreased hospitalizations in high-risk symptomatic adults with COVID-19. Reference Reis G, dos Santos Moreira-Silva EA, Silva DCM, et al, for…

Question Does a booster dose provide clinical benefit against symptomatic infection and serious illness due to COVID-19 in persons 60 years and older who are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?   Conclusion A booster (third) dose of the BNT162b2…

Question Do muscle relaxants provide relief for nonspecific lower back pain? Conclusion Stick with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories for the treatment of low back pain. Despite being used for almost 50 years to treat low back pain, the evidence supporting benzodiazepine or…

Question What is the incidence and timing of recurrent herpes zoster in older adults? Conclusion The incidence of recurrent herpes zoster is comparable with the incidence of a first episode zoster infection, supporting the benefit of vaccination for individuals with…

Question Does ivermectin decrease mortality among persons hospitalized with COVID-19? Conclusion Although the data suggest that ivermectin decreases mortality among persons hospitalized with COVID-19, the messiness of the comparison groups and the concerns over data veracity indicate that more rigorous…

Question Do pregnant women who become ill with COVID-19 have worse outcomes than pregnant women who are not infected with COVID-19? Conclusion Pregnant women who become ill with COVID-19 are more likely to die and have adverse perinatal and neonatal…

Question Are interleukin-6 antagonists effective in decreasing mortality among persons hospitalized with COVID-19? Conclusion Based on this systematic review, it is unclear if IL-6 antagonists decrease mortality among persons hospitalized with COVID-19. Co-intervention with corticosteroids has muddied the waters, and…

Question What is the best treatment for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children? Conclusion For children with MIS-C caused by SARS-CoV-2, the preferred initial treatment is IVIG plus corticosteroids. Reference Son MB, Murray N, Friedman K, et al, for the Overcoming…

Question How effective are current vaccines against the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2? Conclusion Fortunately, the existing Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines appear to offer robust protection against the widespread delta variant. Efficacy is much better after 2 doses than after only…

Question Are steroid bursts in children potentially harmful? Conclusion Although corticosteroid bursts have potential for improving outcomes for many acute illnesses, this study shows that the potential harms are not trivial. Reference Yao TC, Wang JY, Chang SM, et al.…