Comparative effectiveness research incorporates study designs extending beyond the randomized controlled trial (RCT) [1], which is the touchstone for demonstrating therapeutic efficacy. The litany of RCT flaws is often recited: not real world, not real patients, not real settings, not available, not timely, and not affordable. Although not every RCT is well designed, there are established narra...

Topical nitrates provide shortterm relief with some side effects, especially headache. Topical nitroglycerin (NTG) patches improve subjective pain scores by about 30% and range of motion over 3 days in patients with acute shoulder tendinopathy (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, small randomized controlled trial [RCT] with no methodologic flaws). NTG patches, when combined with tendon rehabil...

Objective The aim of this study is to assess whether and how the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes) format described frame research questions in randomized controlled trials looking at effectiveness rehabilitation interventions. Design A methodological was conducted. Randomized field, published between July 1, 2019, December 31, were included. framing primary question from ea...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are complex multisystemic autoimmune diseases. Glucocorticoids remain the cornerstone of treatment in IIM, and the benefit of additional immunosuppressors is still debated. A limited number of controlled clinical trials have been available to support treatment guidelines, but in the last year, several clinical trials have been publishe...

Abstract Background Evidence from studies in adults documents that fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) may be triggers of symptoms individuals with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs). However, children, the evidence is very limited. We aim to assess effects a low-FODMAP diet compared regular for management children FAPDs. Methods will per...

Sakihara T, Otsuji K, Arakaki Y, Hamada Sugiura S, Ito K. Randomized trial of early infant formula introduction to prevent cow's milk allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020:S0091-6749(20)31225-2. What is the therapeutic efficacy (CMF) compared with none, in preventing allergy (CMA) among 1-2 month-old babies? Randomized, controlled (RCT). 4 hospitals Okinawa, Japan. Babies, at least 2000g, 35 wee...

Recently, a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) by Cooper and colleagues indicated that decompressive craniectomy (DC) may be associated with a worse functional outcome in patients with diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI), although DC can immediately and constantly reduce intracranial pressure (ICP). As this trial is well planned and of high quality, the unexpected result is meaningf...

In 1995, the first successful randomized controlled trial (RCT) for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) led to the approval of the pulmonary vasodilator epoprostenol.1 Under the assumption that PAH was a disease of inappropriate pulmonary vasoconstriction, testing a drug that had vasodilator properties seemed reasonable. The 6-minute walk test was the primary end point in the trial because it...

This article provides descriptive detailed (pre and post) values of physical capacity variables, NT-proBNP, physical activity levels and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) (both, intervention and control group) by New York Heart Association (NYHA) class before and after an 8-month exercise intervention. The data are supplemental to our original Randomized Cont...

BACKGROUND Cholangiocellular carcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma. Over the last 30 years, the incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma has risen continuously worldwide. Meanwhile, the intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma has become more common than the extrahepatic growth type and currently accounts for 10-15% of all primary h...