Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomized, controlled, clinical study of thymosin alpha-1 versus interferon-alpha in [corrected] patients with chronic hepatitis B lacking HBeAg in China [corrected].
This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of thymosin-alphal (T-alpha1) with that of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in patients with chronic hepatitis B who were positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B envelope antibody (anti-HBe). ⋯ These results suggest that a 6-month course of T-alpha1 therapy is effective and safe in patients with anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B; T-alpha1 can reduce HBV replication in such patients. Compared with IFN-alpha, T-alpha1 is better tolerated and seems to induce a gradual and more sustained normalization of ALT and loss of HBV DNA. Combination therapy with T-alpha1 and IFN-alpha or nucleoside analogs for hepatitis B warrants further study.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy versus open tracheostomy--a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has gained popularity, but its superiority to open tracheostomy is unclear. The object of this study was to compare procedure time, complication, safety and cost-effect between the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and the conventional open tracheotomy (OT). ⋯ The PDT appears to be a simple, safe and time-saving bedside procedure. It can be recommended when an elective tracheostomy is needed in a critical patient.