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JAMA Network Open Nov 2020It remains uncertain whether vitamin C routinely used with oral iron supplements is essential for patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
IMPORTANCE
It remains uncertain whether vitamin C routinely used with oral iron supplements is essential for patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
OBJECTIVE
To compare the equivalence and assess the safety of oral iron supplements plus vitamin C or oral iron supplements alone in patients with IDA.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This single-center, open-label, equivalence randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 1, 2016, to December 30, 2017, in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. Adult patients with newly diagnosed IDA were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to the oral iron supplements plus vitamin C group or the oral iron supplements-only group. Data analysis was performed from March to December 2018.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients were randomized to receive a 100-mg oral iron tablet plus 200 mg of vitamin C or a 100-mg iron tablet alone every 8 hours daily for 3 months.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was the change in hemoglobin level from baseline to 2 weeks of treatment, and an equivalence margin of 1 g/dL in hemoglobin was chosen for the demonstration of comparable efficacy. Secondary outcomes included the change in the reticulocyte percentage after 2 weeks of treatment, the increase in hemoglobin level after 4 weeks of treatment, the increase in serum ferritin level after 8 weeks of treatment, and adverse events.
RESULTS
Among the 440 randomized patients (220 each in the oral iron supplements plus vitamin C group and iron-only group; 426 women [96.8%]; mean [SD] age, 38.3 [11.7] years), all were assessed for the primary outcome, and 432 (98.2%) completed the trial. From baseline to the 2-week follow-up, the mean (SD) change in hemoglobin level was 2.00 (1.08) g/dL in the oral iron supplements plus vitamin C group and 1.84 (0.97) g/dL in the oral iron supplements-only group (between-group difference, 0.16 g/dL; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.35 g/dL), thus meeting the criteria for equivalence. The mean (SD) change in serum ferritin level from baseline to 8-week follow-up was 35.75 (11.52) ng/mL in the vitamin C plus iron group and 34.48 (9.50) ng/mL in the iron-only group (between-group difference, 1.27 ng/mL; 95% CI, -0.70 to 3.24 ng/mL; P = .21). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding the rates of adverse events (46 [20.9%] vs 45 [20.5%]; difference, 0.4%; 95% CI, -6.7% to 8.5%; P = .82). No patient withdrew because of adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among patients with IDA, oral iron supplements alone were equivalent to oral iron supplements plus vitamin C in improving hemoglobin recovery and iron absorption. These findings suggest that on-demand vitamin C supplements are not essential to take along with oral iron supplements for patients with IDA.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02631668.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Ferrous Compounds; Hemoglobins; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Vitamins
PubMed: 33136134
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.23644 -
Perspectives in Clinical Research 2022In an equivalence trial, researchers aim to show that a new intervention is more or less similar to an existing standard of care, i.e., the two are "equivalent". In this...
In an equivalence trial, researchers aim to show that a new intervention is more or less similar to an existing standard of care, i.e., the two are "equivalent". In this article, we discuss some aspects of the design, analysis, interpretation and reporting of equivalence trials.
PubMed: 35573452
DOI: 10.4103/picr.picr_55_22 -
BMC Family Practice Feb 2019Health personnel are susceptible to high levels of work stress and burnout due to the psychological and emotional demands of their work, as well as to other aspects...
Controlled clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of a mindfulness and self-compassion 4-session programme versus an 8-session programme to reduce work stress and burnout in family and community medicine physicians and nurses: MINDUUDD study protocol.
BACKGROUND
Health personnel are susceptible to high levels of work stress and burnout due to the psychological and emotional demands of their work, as well as to other aspects related to the organisation of that work. This paper describes the rationale and design of the MINDUUDD study, the aim of which is to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness and self-compassion 4-session programme versus the standard 8-session programme to reduce work stress and burnout in Family and Community Medicine and Nursing tutors and residents.
METHODS
The MINDUDD study is a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms. Six Teaching Units will be randomised to one of the three study groups: 1) Experimental Group-8 (EG8); 2) Experimental Group-4 (EG4) Control group (CG). At least 132 subjects will participate (66 tutors/66 residents), 44 in the EG8, 44 in the EG4, and 44 in the CG. Interventions will be based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, including some self-compassion practices of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programme. The EG8 intervention will be implemented during 8 weekly face-to-face sessions of 2.5 h each, while the EG4 intervention will consist of 4 sessions of 2.5 h each. The participants will have to practice at home for 30 min/day in the EG8 and 15 min/day in the EG4. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE), and Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) will be administered. Measurements will be taken at baseline, at the end of the programs, and at three months after completion. The effect of the interventions will be evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analyses (Multiple Linear Regression).
DISCUSSION
If the abbreviated mindfulness programme is at least as effective as the standard program, its incorporation into the curriculum and training plans will be easier and more appropriate. It will also be more easily applied and accepted by primary care professionals because of the reduced resources and means required for its implementation, and it may also extend beyond care settings to academic and teaching environments as well.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03629457 ; date of registration: 13.08.2018).
Topics: Humans; Burnout, Professional; Community Medicine; Empathy; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Mindfulness; Nurses; Occupational Stress; Physicians, Family; Spain; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 30727962
DOI: 10.1186/s12875-019-0913-z -
Critical Care (London, England) Dec 2020The efficacy and safety of high flow nasal therapy (HFNT) in patients with acute hypercapnic exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are unclear.... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of high flow nasal therapy (HFNT) in patients with acute hypercapnic exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the short-term effect of HFNT versus NIV in patients with mild-to-moderate AECOPD, with the hypothesis that HFNT is non-inferior to NIV on CO clearance after 2 h of treatment.
METHODS
We performed a multicenter, non-inferiority randomized trial comparing HFNT and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in nine centers in Italy. Patients were eligible if presented with mild-to-moderate AECOPD (arterial pH 7.25-7.35, PaCO ≥ 55 mmHg before ventilator support). Primary endpoint was the mean difference of PaCO from baseline to 2 h (non-inferiority margin 10 mmHg) in the per-protocol analysis. Main secondary endpoints were non-inferiority of HFNT to NIV in reducing PaCO at 6 h in the per-protocol and intention-to-treat analysis and rate of treatment changes.
RESULTS
Seventy-nine patients were analyzed (80 patients randomized). Mean differences for PaCO reduction from baseline to 2 h were - 6.8 mmHg (± 8.7) in the HFNT and - 9.5 mmHg (± 8.5) in the NIV group (p = 0.404). By 6 h, 32% of patients (13 out of 40) in the HFNT group switched to NIV and one to invasive ventilation. HFNT was statistically non-inferior to NIV since the 95% confidence interval (CI) upper boundary of absolute difference in mean PaCO reduction did not reach the non-inferiority margin of 10 mmHg (absolute difference 2.7 mmHg; 1-sided 95% CI 6.1; p = 0.0003). Both treatments had a significant effect on PaCO reductions over time, and trends were similar between groups. Similar results were found in both per-protocol at 6 h and intention-to-treat analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
HFNT was statistically non-inferior to NIV as initial ventilatory support in decreasing PaCO after 2 h of treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate AECOPD, considering a non-inferiority margin of 10 mmHg. However, 32% of patients receiving HFNT required NIV by 6 h. Further trials with superiority design should evaluate efficacy toward stronger patient-related outcomes and safety of HFNT in AECOPD.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was prospectively registered on December 12, 2017, in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03370666).
Topics: Aged; Cannula; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Noninvasive Ventilation; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Symptom Flare Up
PubMed: 33317579
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-020-03409-0 -
Trials Jan 2021To compare the efficacy and safety of bioavailable turmeric extract versus paracetamol in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
To compare the efficacy and safety of bioavailable turmeric extract versus paracetamol in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
METHODS
In this randomized, non-inferiority, controlled clinical study, patients of knee OA were randomized to receive bioavailable turmeric extract (BCM-95®) 500 mg capsule two times daily or paracetamol 650 mg tablet three times daily for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale. The secondary outcome measures were WOMAC total, WOMAC stiffness, and WOMAC physical function scores. Responder analysis of individual patients at different levels (≥ 20%, ≥ 50%, and ≥ 70%) for WOMAC score was calculated. TNF alpha and CRP levels were evaluated and adverse events (AE) were also recorded.
RESULTS
Seventy-one and seventy-three knee OA patients, respectively in bioavailable turmeric extract and paracetamol groups, completed the study. Non-inferiority (equivalence) test showed that WOMAC scores were equivalent in both the groups (p value < 0.05) in all the domains within the equivalence limit defined by effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.5 whereas CRP and TNF-α were better reduced with turmeric extract than paracetamol. After 6 weeks of treatment, WOMAC total score, pain, stiffness, and function scores got a significant improvement of 23.59, 32.09, 28.5, and 20.25% respectively with turmeric extract. In the turmeric extract group, 18% of patients got more than 50% improvement and 3% of patients got more than 70% improvement in WOMAC pain and function/stiffness score and none of the patients in the paracetamol group met the criteria. CRP and TNF-α got significantly reduced (37.21 and 74.81% respectively) in the turmeric extract group. Adverse events reported were mild and comparatively less in the turmeric extract group (5.48%) than in the paracetamol group (12.68%).
CONCLUSION
The results of the study suggest that bioavailable turmeric extract is as effective as paracetamol in reducing pain and other symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and found to be safe and more effective in reducing CRP and TNF-α.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinical Trials Registry - India CTRI/2017/02/007962 . Registered on 27 February 2017.
Topics: Acetaminophen; Adult; Curcuma; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; India; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain Measurement; Plant Extracts; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33516238
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05053-7 -
JAMA Pediatrics Jan 2022Propranolol for infantile hemangiomas (IH) has been shown to be effective and relatively safe. However, other less lipophilic β-blockers, such as nadolol, may be... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Propranolol for infantile hemangiomas (IH) has been shown to be effective and relatively safe. However, other less lipophilic β-blockers, such as nadolol, may be preferable in individuals who experience propranolol unresponsiveness or adverse events.
OBJECTIVE
To document the noninferiority and safety of oral nadolol compared with oral propranolol in infants with IH.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This double-blind noninferiority prospective study with a noninferiority margin of 10% compared propranolol with nadolol in infants aged 1 to 6 months with problematic IH. The study was conducted in 2 academic pediatric dermatology centers in Canada between 2016 and 2020. Infants aged 1 to 6 months with a hemangioma greater than 1.5 cm on the face or 3 cm or greater on another body part causing or with potential to cause functional impairment or cosmetic disfigurement.
INTERVENTIONS
Oral propranolol and nadolol in escalating doses up to 2 mg/kg/d.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURE
Between-group differences comparing changes in the bulk (size and extent) and color of the IH at week 24 with baseline using a 100-mm visual analog scale.
RESULTS
The study included 71 patients. Of these, 36 were treated with propranolol. The mean (SD) age in this group was 3.1 (1.4) months, and 31 individuals (86%) were female. Thirty-five infants were treated with nadolol. The mean (SD) age in this group was 3.2 (1.6) months, and 26 individuals (74%) were female. The difference in IH between groups by t test was 8.8 (95% CI, 2.7-14.9) for size and 17.1 (95% CI, 7.2-30.0) for color in favor of the nadolol group, demonstrating that nadolol was noninferior to propranolol. Similar differences were noted at 52 weeks: 6.0 (95% CI, 1.9-10.1) and 10.1 (95% CI, 2.9-17.4) for size and color improvement, respectively. For each doubling of time unit (week), the coefficient of involution was 2.4 (95% CI, 0.5-4.4) higher with nadolol compared with propranolol. Safety data were similar between the 2 interventions.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Oral nadolol was noninferior to oral propranolol, indicating it may be an efficacious and safe alternative in cases of propranolol unresponsiveness or adverse events, or when faster involution is required.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02505971.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Double-Blind Method; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Female; Hemangioma, Capillary; Humans; Infant; Male; Nadolol; Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary; Ontario; Propranolol; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34747977
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4565 -
JAMA Cardiology Mar 2020Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for survival after cardiac arrest but not performed in most cases. New, low-cost, and easily accessible training...
IMPORTANCE
Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for survival after cardiac arrest but not performed in most cases. New, low-cost, and easily accessible training methods, such as virtual reality (VR), may reach broader target populations, but data on achieved CPR skills are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To compare CPR quality between VR and face-to-face CPR training.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Randomized noninferiority trial with a prospective randomized open blinded end point design. Participants were adult attendees from the science section of the Lowlands Music Festival (August 16 to 18, 2019) in the Netherlands. Analysis began September 2019.
INTERVENTIONS
Two standardized 20-minute protocols on CPR and automated external defibrillator use: instructor-led face-to-face training or VR training using a smartphone app endorsed by the Resuscitation Council (United Kingdom).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
During a standardized CPR scenario following the training, we assessed the primary outcome CPR quality, measured as chest compression depth and rate using CPR manikins. Overall CPR performance was assessed by examiners, blinded for study groups, using a European Resuscitation Council-endorsed checklist (maximum score, 13). Additional secondary outcomes were chest compression fraction, proportions of participants with mean depth (50 mm-60 mm) or rate (100 min-1-120 min-1) within guideline ranges, and proportions compressions with full release.
RESULTS
A total of 381 participants were randomized: 216 women (57%); median (interquartile range [IQR]) age, 26 (22-31) years. The VR app (n = 190 [49.9%]) was inferior to face-to-face training (n = 191 [50.1%]) for chest compression depth (mean [SD], VR: 49 [10] mm vs face to face: 57 [5] mm; mean [95% CI] difference, -8 [-9 to -6] mm), and noninferior for chest compression rate (mean [SD]: VR: 114 [12] min-1 vs face to face: 109 [12] min-1; mean [95% CI] difference, 6 [3 to 8] min-1). The VR group had lower overall CPR performance scores (median [IQR], 10 [8-12] vs 12 [12-13]; P < .001). Chest compression fraction (median [IQR], 61% [52%-66%] vs 67% [62%-71%]; P < .001) and proportions of participants fulfilling depth (51% [n = 89] vs 75% [n = 133], P < .001) and rate (50% [n = 87] vs 63% [n = 111], P = .01) requirements were also lower in the VR group. The proportion of compressions with full release was higher in the VR group (median [IQR], 98% [59%-100%] vs 88% [55%-99%]; P = .002).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this randomized noninferiority trial, VR training resulted in comparable chest compression rate but inferior compression depth compared with face-to-face training. Given the potential of VR training to reach a larger target population, further development is needed to achieve the compression depth and overall CPR skills acquired by face-to-face training.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04013633.
Topics: Adult; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Educational Measurement; Female; Humans; Male; Manikins; Prospective Studies; Virtual Reality; Young Adult
PubMed: 31734702
DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2019.4992 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Feb 2021Total body irradiation (TBI) before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
Total body irradiation (TBI) before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is efficacious, but long-term side effects are concerning. We investigated whether preparative combination chemotherapy could replace TBI in such patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
FORUM is a randomized, controlled, open-label, international, multicenter, phase III, noninferiority study. Patients ≤ 18 years at diagnosis, 4-21 years at HSCT, in complete remission pre-HSCT, and with an HLA-compatible related or unrelated donor were randomly assigned to myeloablative conditioning with fractionated 12 Gy TBI and etoposide versus fludarabine, thiotepa, and either busulfan or treosulfan. The noninferiority margin was 8%. With 1,000 patients randomly assigned in 5 years, 2-year minimum follow-up, and one-sided alpha of 5%, 80% power was calculated. A futility stopping rule would halt random assignment if chemoconditioning was significantly inferior to TBI (EudraCT: 2012-003032-22; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01949129).
RESULTS
Between April 2013 and December 2018, 543 patients were screened, 417 were randomly assigned, 212 received TBI, and 201 received chemoconditioning. The stopping rule was applied on March 31, 2019. The median follow-up was 2.1 years. In the intention-to-treat population, 2-year overall survival (OS) was significantly higher following TBI (0.91; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.95; < .0001) versus chemoconditioning (0.75; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.81). Two-year cumulative incidence of relapse and treatment-related mortality were 0.12 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.17; < .0001) and 0.02 (95% CI, < 0.01 to 0.05; = .0269) following TBI and 0.33 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.40) and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.14) following chemoconditioning, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Improved OS and lower relapse risk were observed following TBI plus etoposide compared with chemoconditioning. We therefore recommend TBI plus etoposide for patients > 4 years old with high-risk ALL undergoing allogeneic HSCT.
Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Busulfan; Chemoradiotherapy; Child; Child, Preschool; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Etoposide; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; International Agencies; Male; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Prognosis; Survival Rate; Thiotepa; Vidarabine; Whole-Body Irradiation
PubMed: 33332189
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.20.02529 -
BMJ Open Aug 2022Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and distressing complication after thoracic surgery. S-ketamine has neuroprotective properties as a dissociative anaesthetic....
Effects of subanaesthetic S-ketamine on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery: a protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled and positive-controlled, non-inferiority trial (SKED trial).
INTRODUCTION
Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common and distressing complication after thoracic surgery. S-ketamine has neuroprotective properties as a dissociative anaesthetic. Emerging literature has indicated that S-ketamine can reduce cognitive impairment in patients with depression. However, the role of S-ketamine in preventing POD remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of intraoperative prophylactic S-ketamine compared with that of dexmedetomidine on the incidence of POD in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This will be a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, positive-controlled, non-inferiority trial that enrolled patients aged 60-90 years undergoing thoracic surgery. The patients will be randomly allocated in a ratio of 1:1:1 to S-ketamine, dexmedetomidine or normal saline placebo groups using computer-generated randomisation with a block size of six. The primary outcome will be the incidence of POD within 4 days after surgery and this will be assessed using a 3-Minute Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method two times per day. The severity and duration of POD, the incidence of emergence delirium, postoperative pain, quality of sleep, cognitive function, and the plasma concentrations of acetylcholine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tumour necrosis factor-α and incidence of adverse events will be evaluated as secondary outcomes.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Cancer Hospital and the Institute of Guangzhou Medical University (ZN202119). At the end of the trial, we commit to making a public disclosure available, regardless of the outcome. The public disclosure will include a publication in an appropriate journal and an oral presentation at academic meetings.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ChiCTR2100052750 (NCT05242692).
Topics: Aged; Humans; Cognition; Delirium; Dexmedetomidine; Double-Blind Method; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Ketamine; Thoracic Surgery
PubMed: 35914911
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061535 -
Journal of Ayub Medical College,... 2017
Topics: Equivalence Trials as Topic; Humans; Research Design
PubMed: 29076663
DOI: No ID Found