On Doctoring MEDLINE searches, with reference librarian comments, March 2000

The question was

What are the current drug treatments of adolescent Acne Vulgaris with specific reference to topical application?

1    Acne vulgaris/pc,dt,th [Prevention & Control, Drug Therapy,    results=707   
Therapy]
2    limit 1 to (human and english language and yr=1995-2000)    results=393   
3    limit 2 to adolescence < 13 to 18 years >    results=151   
4    *Acne vulgaris/pc,dt,th    results=410   
5    limit 4 to adolescence < 13 to 18 years >    results=178   
6    limit 5 to (human and english language and yr=1995-2000)    results=99   
7    limit 6 to ebm reviews    results=0   
8    from 6 keep    results=19   
8,12,14,17-20,22,25,28,32-33,35-36,40,43,46-47,50
9    Administration, topical/    results=5309   
10    9 and 3    results=15   
11    from 10 keep 1-15    results=15   

Reference Librarian comments

Good job! You used relevant MeSH terms, limited the search properly, etc. And in set #4 you figured out how to "zero-in" on a more focused search. Trying to get EBM reviews is a good idea -- it frequently fails because it's a new concept (and because of a few technical glitches...)

Thanks for participating in the exercise.