Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is moderate or low to moderate where GRADE has been performed and the intervention may be more effective/beneficial than the comparison for key outcomes.
Population: People with status epilepticus ᵃ
Intervention: Intravenous lorazepam ᵇ
Comparison: Intravenous diazepam ᵇ
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Non‐cessation of seizures | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Continuation of seizures requiring a different drug or general anesthesia | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Mortality | No statistically significant difference | Moderate |
Need for ventilatory support | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Adverse effects | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Need for hospitalisation, need for ICU admission, incomplete recovery before discharge, recurrence of seizures, long‐term disability | - | None of the studies identified by the review assessed these outcomes |
Note ᵃ The Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) notes that three trials provide evidence for this population. Two studies assessed adults while the third focused on children. One adult study was conducted in a pre-hospital setting while the other adult study and the study in children were carried out in a tertiary care setting. ᵇ This evidence table summarises the findings for the comparison of intravenous lorazepam versus intravenous diazepam, which is the main comparison as stated in the Cochrane review Summary of Findings table. See the full CCA for information on other comparisons (intramuscular midazolam versus intravenous lorazepam; intravenous lorazepam versus intravenous diazepam plus phenytoin; intravenous lorazepam versus intravenous phenobarbital; intravenous lorazepam versus intravenous phenytoin; intravenous midazolam versus intravenous lorazepam; intravenous levetiracetam versus intravenous lorazepam; intranasal lorazepam versus intramuscular paraldehyde).
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
- How does lorazepam compare with other anticonvulsant therapies for people in status epilepticus?
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