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 very low or low where GRADE has been performed and there may be no difference in effectiveness between the intervention and comparison for key outcomes. However, this is uncertain and new evidence could change this in the future.
Population: People with tuberculous pericarditis ᵃ
Intervention: Corticosteroids
Comparison: Placebo or no treatment
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
All‐cause mortality: HIV-negative people | No statistically significant difference | Low |
All‐cause mortality: HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Pericarditis‐related mortality: HIV-negative people | Favors intervention | Moderate |
Pericarditis‐related mortality: HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Constrictive pericarditis: HIV-negative people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Constrictive pericarditis: HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Repeat pericardiocentesis: HIV-negative and HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Cancer: HIV-negative and HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Hospitalization: HIV-negative people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Hospitalization: HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Pericardiectomy: HIV-negative and HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Opportunistic infections: HIV-negative and HIV-positive people | No statistically significant difference | Very Low |
Note ᵃ Six studies were identified all from sub-Saharan Africa including 1926 people (aged 5 to 66 years). All patients were receiving anti-tuberculous therapy. Tuberculous pericarditis was described as suspected in two trials, and active in one trial. 53% of participants were HIV‐positive.
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.
- What is the accuracy of Xpert Ultra for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in children, using culture as the reference standard?
- What is the accuracy of abdominal ultrasound (US) for the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis (TB) among people with HIV?
- What effect do adjunctive corticosteroids have on mortality and disability in people with tuberculous meningitis?
- What are the benefits and harms of steroids for people with tuberculous pericarditis?
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