Evidence-Based Medicine

How much oxygen should critically ill patients receive? This January 2021 review of HOT-ICU examines lower versus higher oxygen targets in adults with hypoxic respiratory failure, the absence of a 90-day mortality difference and uncertainty about applying the findings to different patient groups.

A clinical overview of Ludwig's angina, from dental infection and deep neck anatomy to recognition and airway risk. The article reviews presentation, imaging and management challenges, with particular attention to how swelling can complicate assessment and securing the airway.

Thomas Shanahan examines the December 2020 RECOVERY preprint on azithromycin for hospitalised patients with COVID-19. The review covers the absence of a mortality benefit, incomplete follow-up at publication and the importance of avoiding antibiotic use without a supported indication.

Why did COVID-19 cause such different outcomes in different people? John McDermott reviews the December 2020 GenOMICC findings, explaining genetic associations with severe illness, their potential to guide research and why they cannot predict an individual patient's fate on their own.

A December 2020 appraisal of PRIEST's evaluation of risk scores in emergency department patients with suspected COVID-19. It examines the balance between sensitivity and specificity, differences between predicting death and organ support, and why the population in which a score is tested matters.

A November 2020 appraisal of the PLACID convalescent plasma trial in moderately unwell hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in India. It explores the lack of demonstrated clinical benefit, variation in usual care and antibody levels, and why larger trials were still needed.