More articles from Interpreting Key Trials
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Low-stretch ventilation improves survival
By setting the respirator to deliver smaller volumes of air than traditionally used, we can decrease the mortality rate by one fifth.
- Alpha-blockers and congestive heart failure: Early termination of an arm of the ALLHAT trial
Current guidelines for treating high blood pressure need to be changed, in light of surprising findings from a major study.
- The Hope Study
In this landmark trial, ACE inhibitors showed benefit beyond lowering blood pressure.
- Hormone replacement and breast cancer: Implications of the Iowa Women’s Health Study
A recent study does not resolve the controversy about whether hormone replacement therapy causes breast cancer, but it gives us another reason for cautious optimism that this therapy is safe.
- Treatment of Helicobacter pylori in nonulcer dyspepsia: Should we or shouldn't we?
Although it may be tempting to treat for Helicobacter pylori in every patient with dyspepsia, two recent trials indicate we should temper our enthusiasm.
- United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS)
A 20-year study shows that intensive hlood glucose control is beneficial in type 2 diabetes.
- The Hypertension Optimal Treatment Trial
In hypertensive patients, low-dose aspirin proves beneficial, but more-aggressive blood pressure treatment falls short—except in persons with diabetes.
- The Veterans Affairs Non-Q-Wave Infarction Strategies in Hospital (VANQWISH) Study
Angiography still has a role in non-Q-wave MI, study results notwithstanding.
- Zinc lozenges for the common cold
Clinical trials of zinc cold therapy have produced conflicting results.
- The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (P-1 Study)
Tamoxifen can reduce the incidence of breast cancer by nearly half in women at high risk, but at the price of increased endometrial cancer and thromboembolism. An illustration shows the differing effects of tamoxifen in different organs.