Family Health International (FHI) and EngenderHealth conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial to evaluate a fascial interposition (FI) component of a vas occlusion procedure for male sterilization. A data monitoring committee (DMC) was established to provide independent review of the interim report. The DMC met to review the interim report after enrollment of 552 men. As planned, an estimate of the hazard ratio (HR) for successful vasectomy for the FI group versus the no-FI group controlling for age of the participant and level of experience of the surgeon was obtained for the interim report using Cox's proportional hazards regression. The main analysis comparing time to vasectomy success, defined as two consecutive azoospermic semen samples, was highly significant and met the prespecified level for stopping enrollment (HR=1.54, p<0.01). However, a troublesome age by vasectomy technique interaction became apparent in the analysis. FI was clearly beneficial for younger males. However, the trend for older men was not as clear. The DMC recommended continuing the trial to better study this interaction and obtain more data to clarify the effect of FI for older men. After consulting further with the DMC, the study statisticians presented the interim report to senior management at FHI. A meeting between FHI senior management and the DMC followed. After much deliberation, trial enrollment was terminated. Follow-up of participants already enrolled in the study continued as planned. This paper presents the issues involved in the decision to terminate the study.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0197-2456(02)00267-2 | DOI Listing |
J Asthma Allergy
December 2024
Pulmonology Clinic, Cantonal Hospital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland.
Purpose: Although studies have evaluated benralizumab, a monoclonal IL-5 receptor α antibody in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA), in real-world settings, additional evidence is needed to further characterize its effectiveness in specific patient populations. Our study aimed to evaluate asthma control over 56 weeks in patients treated with benralizumab in Swiss real-world settings.
Patients And Methods: Conducted across 13 centres, this prospective, observational, non-interventional study involved 73 adults with physician confirmed SEA.
Rheumatol Ther
December 2024
Division of Paediatric Rheumatology and Autoinflammation Reference Centre Tübingen, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Tübingen; Member of ERN-RITA, Tübingen, Germany.
Introduction: Interim analysis of the long-term safety and effectiveness of canakinumab, at a patient level, in the mevalonate kinase deficiency/hyperimmunoglobulin-D syndrome (MKD/HIDS) cohort of the RELIANCE registry.
Methods: From June 2018, the RELIANCE registry enrolled paediatric (aged ≥ 2 years) and adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with MKD/HIDS who were receiving canakinumab as part of their routine medical care. Safety, physician- and patient-reported measures of disease activity and dosing patterns were evaluated at baseline and every 6 months until end-of-study visit.
Adv Med Educ Pract
December 2024
Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich and University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Introduction: Improving the quality of teaching placements in family medicine practice (FMP) could help to address the shortage of primary care physicians. This study aims to investigate students' evaluations of first-exposure FMP placements, to identify clusters of FMPs that might need to improve their placement quality, and to analyze students' perceptions of the FMP as a learning environment.
Methods: The design was a cross-sectional survey study, including all fourth-year undergraduate medical students at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, who completed a mandatory placement in FMP during 2019-2022.
Expert Rev Vaccines
December 2024
Guangzhou Patronus Biotech Co, Ltd, Guangzhou, China.
Background: LYB001 is a recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine displaying a receptor-binding domain (RBD) in a highly immunogenic array on virus-like particles (VLPs). This study assessed the immunogenicity and safety of LYB001 as a booster.
Research Design And Methods: In this randomized, active-controlled, double-blinded, phase 3 trial, participants aged ≥18 years received a booster with LYB001 or ZF2001 (Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine).
Clinicoecon Outcomes Res
December 2024
Demiroğlu Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Purpose: In cardiovascular surgeries, iron deficiency anemia and transfusion of blood products are associated with mortality and morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and poor patient outcomes. Patient blood management (PBM) is a patient-centered approach based on a 'three pillar' model that promotes optimum use of blood and blood products to improve outcomes. This study assessed the potential budget impact of implementing PBM in patients undergoing elective cardiovascular surgery in a private hospital in Turkey.
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