PEARLS are succinct summaries of Cochrane Systematic Reviews for primary care practitioners – developed by the Cochrane Primary Care Field, New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Cochrane Centre at the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland and funded by the New Zealand Guidelines Group.

PEARLS provide guidance on whether a treatment is effective or ineffective. PEARLS are prepared as an educational resource and do not replace clinician judgment in the management of individual cases.

Listed below (with the most recent first) are PEARLS published in New Zealand Doctor and directly on nzdoctor.co.nz

PEARLS 26Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm may reduce mortality in men aged 65 to 79 years

PEARLS 25 - Vitamin C supplementation for pneumonia of possible benefit to some 

PEARLS 24 - Psychological therapy based on cognitive behavioural therapy is effective short term treatment for generalised anxiety disorder(First published New Zealand Doctor, 7 November 2007)

PEARLS 23 Surgical discectomy is of benefit to selected patients  

PEARLS 22 -  Effectiveness of contracts for improving patient adherence no demonstrated

PEARLS 21 - Local corticosteroid injections improve symptoms of carpal tunnel  (First published New Zealand Doctor, 24 October 2007)

PEARLS 20 - Response rates to postal questionnaires can be increased

PEARLS 19 - Low molecular weight heparin or non-steroidal antiinflammatorydrugs are the best treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis

PEARLS 18 - Bupropion and nortriptyline aid long term smoking cessation but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors do not (First published New Zealand Doctor, 10 October 2007)

PEARLS 17 - Effectiveness of prolotherapy injections for chronic low back pain uncertain

PEARLS 16 - Organised systems of regular follow-up and review can improve blood pressure control

PEARLS 15 - Evidence lacking on treatment options for vaginal bleeding irregularities induced by progestin-only contraceptives (First published New Zealand Doctor, 26 September 2007)

PEARLS 14 - Oral steroids are effective short term treatment for adhesive capsulitis

PEARLS 13 - Brief alcohol interventions are effective in reducing hazardous or harmful drinking in men

PEARLS 12 - Evidence lacking on Chinese medicinal herb treatment for the common cold (First published New Zealand Doctor, 12 September 2007)

PEARLS 11 - Glue may be better than stitches, staples or adhesive tape for simple cuts

PEARLS 10 - Oral erythromycin may be effective in trating the symptoms of pityriasis rosea

PEARLS 9 - Is routine therapeutic monitoring of antiepileptic drugs for newly diagnosed patients necessary?  (First published New Zealand Doctor, 29 August 2007)

PEARLS 8 - Colchicine is a second line therapy for acute gout

PEARLS 7 - Anitcholinergics effective for overactive bladder syndrome

PEARLS 6 - Short term cardioselective beta-blocker use safe in COPD 

PEARLS 5 - Cognitive behaviour therapy for tinnitus improves quality of life

PEARLS 4 - Local oestrogen a treatment option for vaginal atrophy (First published New Zealand Doctor, 15 August 2007)

PEARLS 3 - Oral tetracyclines are effective for acne vulgaris (First published New Zealand Doctor, 1 August 2007)

PEARLS 2 - Nicotine receptor partial agonists help people stop smoking

PEARLS 1 - Topical treatments better than systemic antibiotics for chronically discharging ears  (First published New Zealand Doctor, 18 July 2007)