Short-term efficacy of rofecoxib and diclofenac in acute shoulder pain: a placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the short-term symptomatic efficacy of rofecoxib and diclofenac versus placebo in acute episodes of shoulder pain.

Design: Randomized controlled trial of 7 days.

Setting: Rheumatologists and/or general practitioners totaling 47.

Effect of neonatal phototherapy on melanocytic nevus count in children.

Background: Melanocytic nevus is the strongest risk factor for the development of cutaneous melanoma. Fair skin and exposure to UV light, especially in childhood, are correlated with the development of childhood nevi.

Objective: To assess the role of blue light neonatal phototherapy used to treat hyperbilirubinemia in nevus acquisition in childhood.

Spinal tuberculosis: a longitudinal study with clinical, laboratory, and imaging outcomes.

Objectives: To study imaging changes associated with spinal tuberculosis (ST) over time and evaluate their association with clinical and laboratory data.

Methods: Between 1997 and 2004, patients with proven ST in our institution were prospectively enrolled and treated for 1 year. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at baseline and every 3 months.

Quality of reporting of noninferiority and equivalence randomized trials.

Context: Noninferiority and equivalence trials aim to show that the experimental treatment is not clinically worse than (noninferior) or clinically similar to (equivalent) a control active treatment. These study objectives imply particular planning and analysis.

Objective: To assess the methodologic quality of reports of randomized controlled trials of noninferiority and equivalence.