Abstract
Best evidence topic reports (BETs) summarise the evidence pertaining to particular clinical questions. They are not systematic reviews, but contain the best (highest level) evidence that can be practically obtained by busy practising clinicians. The search strategies used to find the best evidence are reported in detail to allow clinicians to update searches whenever necessary. Each BET is based on a clinical scenario and ends with a clinical bottomline that indicates, in the light of the evidence found, what the reporting clinician would do if faced with the same scenario again. The BETs published below were first reported at the Critical Appraisal Journal Club at the Manchester Royal Infirmary(1) or placed on the bestbets website. Each BET has been constructed in the four stages that have been described elsewhere(2). The BETs shown here, together with those published previously and those currently under construction, can be seen at http://www.bestbets.org3. Four BETs are included in this issue of the journal. Does normal‐shaped pupil exclude the diagnosis of iritis. Use of lidocaine in the GI cocktail for the treatment of dyspepsia. Dose >50 mg/kg: anticipate fluctuation in mental status with intermittent agitation followed by coma, which would require intubation and ventilation within 12 h. Diagnosis of drug overdose by rapid reversal with naloxone. Pregnancy‐associated plasma protein: a novel cardiac marker with promise. Where a symbol is attached, it means that a critical appraisal of that paper has been posted on the bestbets website. Does a normal‐shaped pupil exclude the diagnosis of iritis? Use of lidocaine in the gastriointestinal cocktail for the treatment of dyspepsia. Diagnosis of drug overdose by rapid reversal with naloxone. PAPP‐A: a novel cardiac marker with promise. 1 Carley SD, Mackway‐Jones K, Jones A, et al. Moving towards evidence based emergency medicine: use of a structured critical appraisal journal club. J Accid Emerg Med 1998;15:220–2. 2 Mackway‐Jones K, Carley SD, Morton RJ, et al. The best evidence topic report: a modified CAT for summarising the available evidence in emergency medicine. J Accid Emerg Med 1998;15:222–6. 3 Mackway‐Jones K, Carley SD. bestbets.org: Odds on favourite for evidence in emergency medicine reaches the worldwide web. J Accid Emerg Med 2000;17:235–6.