Latest Articles
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To estimate the rate of full publication of the results of randomized clinical trials initially presented as abstracts at national ophthalmology meetings in 1988 and 1989; and to combine data from this study with data from similar studies to determine the rate at which abstracts are subsequently published in full and the association between selected study characteristics and full publication. ⋯ Approximately one half of all studies initially presented in abstract form are subsequently published as full-length reports. Most are published in full within 2 years of appearance as abstracts. Full publication may be associated with "significant" results and sample size.
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Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Data on individual patients were pooled from five recently completed randomized trials comparing warfarin (all studies) or aspirin (the Atrial Fibrillation, Aspirin, Anticoagulation Study and the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Study) with control in patients with atrial fibrillation. The purpose of the analysis was to (1) identify patient features predictive of a high or low risk of stroke, (2) assess the efficacy of antithrombotic therapy in major patient subgroups (eg, women), and (3) obtain the most precise estimate of the efficacy and risks of antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation. For the warfarin-control comparison there were 1889 patient-years receiving warfarin and 1802 in the control group. For the aspirin-placebo comparison there were 1132 patient-years receiving aspirin and 1133 receiving placebo. The daily dose of aspirin was 75 mg in the Atrial Fibrillation, Aspirin, Anticoagulation Study and 325 mg in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Study. To monitor warfarin dosage, three studies used prothrombin time ratios and two used international normalized ratios. The lowest target intensity was a prothrombin time ratio of 1.2 to 1.5 and the highest target intensity was an international normalized ratio of 2.8 to 4.2. The primary end points were ischemic stroke and major hemorrhage, as assessed by each study. ⋯ In these five randomized trials warfarin consistently decreased the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (a 68% reduction in risk) with virtually no increase in the frequency of major bleeding. Patients with atrial fibrillation younger than 65 years without a history of hypertension, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, or diabetes were at very low risk of stroke even when not treated. The efficacy of aspirin was less consistent. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of aspirin in atrial fibrillation.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Pharmacoeconomic analysis of ondansetron versus metoclopramide for cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting.
A pharmacoeconomic analysis of ondansetron versus metoclopramide use in patients receiving high-dose cisplatin therapy is reported. A meta-analysis of the literature was performed to synthesize the results of clinical trials of ondansetron and metoclopramide for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving high-dose cisplatin therapy. A cost-benefit analysis was performed by constructing a decision tree of the possible outcomes of treatment with ondansetron or metoclopramide. ⋯ The cost-utility analysis yielded an incremental cost of ondansetron of $168,391 ($407,667) per QALY in 40-kg (70-kg) patients. Sensitivity analysis showed robustness of the expected outcomes except in a best-case scenario. A cost-utility analysis suggested that, compared with metoclopramide, ondansetron provides a small antiemetic benefit at a large additional cost.
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Obstetrics and gynecology · Jun 1994
Meta AnalysisEffect of epidural analgesia for labor on the cesarean delivery rate.
To use meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of epidural analgesia on the cesarean delivery rate. ⋯ The results of this meta-analysis strongly support an increase in cesarean delivery associated with epidural analgesia. Further research should evaluate the balance between analgesia associated with the use of epidurals, and postpartum morbidity and costs associated with cesarean deliveries.
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Seminars in oncology · Jun 1994
Meta AnalysisThe treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: current perspectives and controversies, future directions.
The projected cure rate for patients who develop lung cancer in 1993 is only 13%. The majority of these patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, and are therefore ineligible for curative surgery. Among the minority of patients who undergo surgical therapy with curative intent, the majority experience relapse in metastatic sites. ⋯ Response rates in excess of 20% were reported for paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ), irinotecan (CPT-11), topotecan, and gemcitabine. Studies in the next few years will help to define the ultimate role of these agents. Further developments in understanding the biology (and molecular biology) of lung cancer are leading to preclinical studies of antigrowth factors and genetic therapy.