Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
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Researchers at Imperial College London are conducting a new trial with patients and healthy volunteers to test the digital 'plaster', a disposable device that monitors vital signs in real-time. The technology has the potential to free up doctors' time, improve patient health, and enable early detection of complications.
The 'Red Alert for Women's Hearts' conference aims to address the need for gender-specific research in cardiovascular health. Key findings include low representation of women in clinical trials and a lack of data on their specific cardiovascular pathology, leading to incorrect application of male data.
A study of 2332 patients with chronic heart failure found that participation in clinical trials was associated with improved survival rates. The study suggests that being prepared to take part in a trial may be a marker for better compliance and acceptance of treatment.
The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) aims to determine whether maintaining blood pressure levels below current recommendations reduces cardiovascular and kidney disease risk. The nine-year trial will enroll over 7,500 participants aged 55+ with high systolic blood pressure.
LX211 controls inflammation in non-infectious uveitis, significantly reducing its recurrence rate by 50% at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg twice daily. The treatment also preserves visual acuity and reduces corticosteroid use to minimize vision loss risk.
Uloric (febuxostat) has been shown to effectively manage hyperuricemia in patients with gout, achieving normal serum urate levels in 45-67% of patients. The treatment also reduced the risk of future gout flares and was superior to allopurinol in lowering serum urate levels.
A new randomized controlled trial found that copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps are ineffective in relieving arthritis pain. The study, led by University of York researcher Stewart Richmond, suggests that any perceived benefits from these devices can be attributed to psychological placebo effects.
A $4 million NCI grant will fund comparative effectiveness research on cancer at the Southwest Oncology Group. The Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research in Cancer Genomics will evaluate emerging genomics technologies to identify promising treatments.
A recent study published in the American Heart Journal found that more than half of randomized clinical trials for cardiovascular disease fail to report vital information about patient race or ethnicity. Only 15% of trials had sufficient diversity, highlighting the need for better representation of minority groups in RCTs.
A new study found that patients who underwent less-invasive endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms had a lower risk of death in the first 30 days after surgery compared to those who received open repair. The procedure also resulted in reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications.
Researchers confirm association between higher blood urate levels and slower disease progression in Parkinson's patients. The study suggests that elevated urate levels may have a protective influence on brain cells, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
Scientists found that Parkinson's disease progresses more slowly in participants with the highest levels of urate. This discovery supports the idea that patients and doctors may be able to better predict the course of the illness.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that personalized, proactive telephone counseling significantly increased 6-month prolonged abstinence from smoking among teens. The intervention combined motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral skills training.
A Cochrane review found limited benefits of TENS for osteoarthritis pain and physical disability. Only small trials with poor quality data were available, casting doubt on the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
A 12,500-person trial will assess daily low-dose aspirin on health in Australian and US seniors. The study aims to inform health guidelines for older adults, considering aspirin's potential benefits and side effects.
A study published in PLoS Medicine discusses the challenges of designing clinical trials when there is no consensus on usual medical care. The authors recommend specific criteria for assessing proposed study designs and highlight the importance of comparing management of conditions to standard care.
A recent clinical trial has found that the combination of clopidogrel and stomach medicines does not lead to adverse events. The COGENT trial involved 3,627 patients and showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal events with PPI use.
The PROSPECT trial reveals that most unexpected heart attacks are caused by large plaque burdens and small lumen areas, not mild lesions. Characterization of plaque composition using virtual histology improves the ability to predict future adverse events.
Researchers found a simple intervention involving monthly follow-up phone calls improved depression care in primary practice. The trial evaluated 626 patients with depression, highlighting the potential of practice-based health care assistants to recognize and react to deteriorating symptoms.
A new corticosteroid medication has been shown to improve vision and reduce vision loss in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. The treatment, which involves eye injections of the medication, has been proven effective in reducing vision loss by five times.
A study found laser therapy equivalent to corticosteroid medications in treating vision loss from BRVO, with lower complication rates. Laser treatment showed no significant difference in visual improvement compared to corticosteroid injections.
Researchers found that a 1-milligram dose of triamcinolone significantly improved vision in some patients with retinal vein occlusion. The treatment also showed superior safety compared to existing laser therapies. However, grid photocoagulation remained the preferred option for those with blockages in smaller branches of the vein.
The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines have demonstrated a strong immune response in most healthy adults when administered in a single dose, with robust protection observed in both younger and older adults. The early data from clinical trials indicate that the vaccines are well-tolerated.
The NIAID is conducting a trial to test the safety and efficacy of a 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pregnant women. The trial aims to provide critical information for public health planning, as pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe illness from the flu virus.
The study found that regular CGM use is the primary factor in achieving better diabetes control, regardless of age. People using CGM devices six days per week or more showed similar levels of improvement in diabetes control across all age groups, from children to adults.
Currently only 1% of European patients with implantable cardiac devices are being remotely monitored. Telemonitoring reduces physician workload while maintaining patient safety through early detection of silent arrhythmias.
The survey enrolled 2438 patients with a mean age of 68 years, showing characteristic differences between those receiving CRT-P and CRT-D devices. Demographic and economic factors play a significant role in device selection, with younger patients, men, and those with ischaemic aetiology more likely to receive a CRT-D device.
The PreSCD II registry found that patients protected by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator after a heart attack showed a non-significant lower mortality rate. In those with severely reduced heart function, mortality was reduced by 47% in patients with ICD implantation one month or more after MI.
A study found discrepancies between primary trial outcomes registered and published, with 31% of adequately registered trials showing evidence. Most discrepancies favored statistically significant results or omitted nonsignificant outcomes.
The MADIT-CRT study found that CRT-D therapy reduces the risk of heart failure or death by 34% compared to ICD-only therapy, with benefits seen across various patient sub-groups. This results validate a new indication for CRT-D therapy in preventing heart failure in at-risk patients.
Recent studies suggest that aspirin may not provide significant benefits for primary prevention in all diabetics. However, the European Society of Cardiology recommends its use for individuals with a high cardiovascular risk profile. Aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of myocardial infarctions and strokes in this population, par...
Recent discoveries of genetic variants affecting coronary artery disease and heart attack risk are promising for preventing the condition. The variants increase risk by 10-30% and are common, making them useful in prevention algorithms.
The Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis study found no statistically significant difference in primary endpoint events between those subjects allocated to aspirin or placebo. Vascular events and all-cause mortality were similar in both groups, but major bleeding occurred more frequently in the aspirin group.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine, Duke and Wake Forest suggests that disclosing financial conflicts of interest to research participants may not be sufficient. The study recommends establishing sound policy and practices for disclosure and management of financial interests.
Researchers advocate for clearer conflict of interest disclosures in clinical trials to ensure transparency and fairness. Key findings include the need for institutional review boards and study coordinators to play a larger role in disclosing financial relationships that may impact patient decisions.
Researchers found that presenting risk as natural frequencies and using bar charts helped participants make decisions consistent with their values. The studies also showed that different data presentations can be more persuasive, regardless of the participant's values. Healthcare providers should strive to maintain objectivity while re...
A new study published in JNCI finds that training methods for surgeons performing breast cancer sentinel lymph node resection are highly effective. The study evaluated three training methods and found a statistically significant positive association between procedural errors and false-negative rates.
A study published in BMC Medical Research Methodology found that general practitioners (GPs) are reluctant to participate in medical research due to administrative challenges. The researchers discovered that non-medical staff often handle first contact with surgeries, making it difficult for doctors to engage with the study.
Researchers present results from two Phase 1 clinical trials of TH-302, a hypoxia-activated prodrug, demonstrating partial responses in patients with relapsed/refractory lung cancer. The treatment showed manageable skin and mucosal toxicities, with minimal hematologic side effects.
A new study investigates the effects of the Khmer Rouge trials on Cambodians, finding that while most believe justice will be served, nearly 90% experience painful memories. The trials' impact on mental health remains uncertain, with higher rates of PTSD among those who remember torture and murder.
A new study finds that while most Cambodians believe the Khmer Rouge trials will deliver justice, over 87% of people who experienced torture during the regime say the trials will rekindle painful memories. The trial's impact on mental health is still unknown.
A recent study suggests that Khmer Rouge trials may exacerbate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Cambodian survivors. The trial's impact on mental health is uncertain, as some respondents believe the trials will revive painful memories.
A study examining the effectiveness of universal intimate partner violence (IPV) screening found that it did not significantly reduce subsequent reports of IPV or improve quality of life. While some small benefits were observed, the authors conclude that screening is not enough to address IPV and recommend specific interventions to pre...
A phase I clinical trial enrolled its first patient only two days after FDA clearance, accelerating development of new cancer drugs. The joint effort between M.D. Anderson and AstraZeneca demonstrates how to shrink the time it takes to bring new therapies to patients.
A global breast cancer trial has recruited Chinese patients for the first time, evaluating the treatment's impact on cancer recurrence after mastectomy. Researchers aim to identify molecular fingerprints of each patient's cancer to determine the most likely candidates for radiotherapy.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that brain cells only change their responses after a successful behavior, but not after a failure. This study sheds light on the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory, with implications for understanding how we learn and treating learning disorders.
A meta-analysis of 50,000 patients reveals GPs struggle to identify depression, resulting in missed diagnoses and misidentifications. Researchers recommend reassessment of suspected cases and multiple appointments for uncertain diagnoses.
A growing number of British academics claim that EU regulations are hindering their ability to conduct clinical research, with some facing delays of over 2 years due to excessive paperwork. Researchers argue that the current system requires lengthy protocols and multiple forms, leading to administrative burdens.
A study of nearly 1,600 tumor samples found that CT-X genes are expressed in half of ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancers. This suggests a potential new therapy approach for these aggressive breast cancer types. Researchers plan to initiate clinical trials based on the findings.
A study by Dan Barouch and colleagues at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found no correlation between Ad5 neutralizing antibodies and T-cell immune responses. The researchers suggest using rare serotype vectors to develop HIV-1 vaccines that are not suppressed by baseline vector-specific neutralizing antibodies.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a reminder program using electronic health records and personalized outreach increased mammography rates among women aged 50-69. Mammography rates jumped from 63% to over 80%, with 75% of women completing their screenings within 10 months.
Two large studies using DHA showed mixed results, with no benefit in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's but a positive result in healthy older adults. The findings highlight the need for earlier detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, as well as further research on genetic interactions.
A new study suggests that partnering with local physicians, conducting educational seminars, and utilizing community outreach are effective tools in recruiting people for Alzheimer's clinical studies. In contrast, patient registries and internet recruiting were found to be less successful strategies. The study also explores the importa...
A study of nearly 20,000 patient records found that African-American breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer patients die earlier than others with similar treatment, suggesting biological or host genetic factors as the cause. The survival gap persists even after controlling for socioeconomic factors.
A clinical trial shows that quadriplegics can operate a powered wheelchair using a tongue drive system, which detects movement of a magnetic tracer attached to the tongue. The system allows for intuitive control with minimal prior training, enabling users to play computer games and navigate obstacles with ease.
A study published in BMC's open access journal Trials found that 93% of RCTs published in Chinese medical journals between 1994 and 2005 were flawed, casting doubt on their reliability. Researchers investigated clinical trials on 20 common diseases and found that only 7% met recognized standards for authentic randomization.
A Phase II trial shows that a low dose of oral interferon alpha preserves beta cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, delaying the need for insulin. The study found significant improvement in preserving insulin-producing beta cell function compared to placebo, offering hope for managing the disease.
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has launched an international study to investigate the efficacy of polar body screening in preimplantation genetic testing. The study aims to determine whether this novel method offers a possible solution for improving IVF treatment outcomes.
The American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society have released standardized definitions and measurement recommendations for assessing asthma control, severity, and exacerbations. The guidelines provide a framework for clinicians to diagnose and manage asthma, with a focus on improving patient outcomes.
A landmark study demonstrates a significant reduction in heart failure or death in patients with heart disease who received CRT-D versus ICD-only. The MADIT-CRT trial showed a 29% decrease in mortality and heart failure symptoms, improving survival and outcome for patients with severe heart disease.