JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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To determine the efficacy of treatment using high-dose bolus interleukin 2 (IL-2) in patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell cancer. ⋯ Biologic therapy with IL-2 can cause significant antitumor effects in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma or renal cell cancer. Because IL-2 does not have a direct effect on cancer cells but rather mediates its antitumor activity by altering host immune reactions, these data represent the best available evidence that immunologic therapy for cancer can be effective in selected patients.
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To determine whether physician estimates of pain severity are influenced by patient ethnicity. ⋯ Physician ability to assess pain severity does not differ for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white patients. Other explanations for a difference in analgesic practice as a function of ethnicity should be explored.
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To assess the impact on clinical practice of implementing the Ottawa ankle rules. ⋯ Implementation of the Ottawa ankle rules led to a decrease in use of ankle radiography, waiting times, and costs without patient dissatisfaction or missed fractures. Future studies should address the generalizability of these decision rules in a variety of hospital settings.