Publications by authors named "Hans Melander"
Data on percentage of patients experiencing a relevant response (>50% reduction of the baseline Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score), average baseline severity and sample size were retrieved for all placebo-controlled studies in regulatory submissions of SSRIs and SNRIs between 1984 and 2003. Overall there was 16%-units (95% CI: 12; 20) more responders on active drug compared to placebo. There was no evidence of a diminishing magnitude of effect with lower severity at baseline.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe conscientious judgement of a DSMB--statistical stopping rules re-examined.
Eur J Clin Pharmacol
January 2008
Objective: In the light of the recent failure of a large cardiovascular mortality and morbidity study with torcetrapib, we have undertaken a post hoc review of the decisions taken by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in that study. A number of other studies in which complex decisions were made by DSMBs are also reviewed.
Results: The examples illustrate the complexities involved in the decision-making process by DSMBs and indicate that too much reliance on formal statistical stopping rules should be avoided due to a risk of delaying the identification of an unacceptable emergent safety signal.
Objectives: To investigate the relative impact on publication bias caused by multiple publication, selective publication, and selective reporting in studies sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.
Design: 42 placebo controlled studies of five selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors submitted to the Swedish drug regulatory authority as a basis for marketing approval for treating major depression were compared with the studies actually published (between 1983 and 1999).
Results: Multiple publication: 21 studies contributed to at least two publications each, and three studies contributed to five publications.