RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The objective was to locate, appraise and summarise evidence from scientific studies on intestinal obstruction due to advanced gynaecological and gastrointestinal cancers, in order to assess the efficacy of corticosteroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive list of studies was provided by an extensive search of electronic databases, relevant journals, bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, reference lists, the grey literature, personal contact and the world wide web. DATA SYNTHESIS: Two researchers extracted the data independently. A qualitative analysis was performed of the dichotomous data of resolution of obstruction and death at one month. Both fixed and random effect models were used. Number needed to treat (with corticosteroids to resolve one episode of bowel obstruction) was derived from the odds ratio. Kaplan-Meier survival curves from individual patient data were also analysed. Studies of lower methodological quality were assessed in a qualitative manner. RESULTS: There is a trend towards resolution of bowel obstruction using corticosteroids but this result does not achieve statistical significance. There is no statistically significant difference in mortality at one month, nor in the Kaplan Meier survival curves. Number needed to treat is 6, though with wide confidence intervals (3-infinity). The results are robust to fixed and random effects models and to 'best' and 'worst case' scenarios on the data from missing patients. The morbidity associated with corticosteroids appears to be very low. CONCLUSIONS: The role of corticosteroids needs further elucidation. More patients need to be recruited in order to obtain more precise results. Further trials should include quality of life measures as primary outcomes as well as most effective type of corticosteroid, dose or dosing regime, route of administration and morbidity.