The New England journal of medicine
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Comment Letter Meta Analysis
Hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy.
Evidence-based medicine is valuable to the extent that the evidence base is complete and unbiased. Selective publication of clinical trials--and the outcomes within those trials--can lead to unrealistic estimates of drug effectiveness and alter the apparent risk-benefit ratio. ⋯ We cannot determine whether the bias observed resulted from a failure to submit manuscripts on the part of authors and sponsors, from decisions by journal editors and reviewers not to publish, or both. Selective reporting of clinical trial results may have adverse consequences for researchers, study participants, health care professionals, and patients.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Analysis of 14 trials comparing sirolimus-eluting stents with bare-metal stents.
The long-term effects of treatment with sirolimus-eluting stents, as compared with bare-metal stents, have not been established. ⋯ The use of sirolimus-eluting stents does not have a significant effect on overall long-term survival and survival free of myocardial infarction, as compared with bare-metal stents. There is a sustained reduction in the need for reintervention after the use of sirolimus-eluting stents. The risk of stent thrombosis is at least as great as that seen with bare-metal stents.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
A pooled analysis of data comparing sirolimus-eluting stents with bare-metal stents.
Although randomized studies have shown a beneficial effect of drug-eluting stents in reducing the risk of repeated revascularization, these trials were underpowered to compare rates of death and myocardial infarction. The long-term safety of drug-eluting stents has been questioned recently. ⋯ In a pooled analysis of data from four trials comparing sirolimus-eluting stents and bare-metal stents, no significant differences were found between the two treatments in rates of death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00233805 [ClinicalTrials.gov] , NCT00381420 [ClinicalTrials.gov] , NCT00232765 [ClinicalTrials.gov] , and NCT00235144 [ClinicalTrials.gov].)