Abstract
Aims:
To determine the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in asthmatic patients using a pragmatic evidence-based approach to solve therapeutic problems.
Methods:
Use of local information, expert-opinion guidelines, evidence-based guidelines and a systematic literature search of the Medline database to identify clinical trials designed to assess vaccine efficacy among asthmatics.
Results:
Expert-opinion guidelines advocating the use of pneumococcal vaccine among asthmatics were found, but there was no evidence-based assessment of vaccine efficacy among asthmatics. The Medline database described no clinical trials that specifically addressed our question, although a number of studies assessing the broader question of overall vaccine efficacy were identified, with conflicting results.
Conclusions:
Current UK expert opinion recommends that people with asthma receive pneumococcal vaccination, but there is little high-quality evidence to support this. The search strategy used may be adapted to address other therapeutic questions that may arise in primary care consultations.
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Sheikh, A. Evidence-based problem solving: What is the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in people with asthma?. Prim Care Respir J 7, 21–22 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.1999.9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pcrj.1999.9