Parallel Group Trial (parallel + group_trial)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Long-term efficacy and safety of insulin detemir compared to Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin in patients with Type 1 diabetes using a treat-to-target basal,bolus regimen with insulin aspart at meals: a 2-year, randomized, controlled trial

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 4 2008
P. C. Bartley
Abstract Aims This 24-month, multi-national, open-label, parallel group trial investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of insulin detemir and Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin in combination with mealtime insulin aspart in patients with Type 1 diabetes using a treat-to-target concept. Methods Patients were randomized 2 : 1 to detemir (n = 331) or NPH (n = 166) groups. Basal insulin was initiated once daily (evening) and titrated individually based on self-measured plasma glucose (PG) levels, aiming for pre-breakfast and pre-dinner targets , 6.0 mmol/l. A second basal morning dose could be added according to pre-defined criteria. Results After 24 months, superiority of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was achieved with detemir compared to NPH (detemir 7.36%, NPH 7.58%, mean difference ,0.22% points) [95% confidence interval (CI) ,0.41 to ,0.03%], with reductions of 0.94% and 0.72% points, respectively. Fasting PG (FPGlab) was also lower with detemir (detemir 8.35 mmol/l, NPH 9.43 mmol/l; P = 0.019). Twenty-two per cent of patients treated with detemir reached an HbA1c , 7.0% in the absence of confirmed hypoglycaemia during the last month of treatment vs. 13% on NPH (P = 0.019). Risk of major and nocturnal hypoglycaemia was 69% and 46% lower with detemir than with NPH (P < 0.001), respectively; patients treated with detemir gained less weight (detemir 1.7 kg, NPH 2.7 kg; P = 0.024). The overall safety profile was similar in the two groups and treatment with detemir did not result in any unexpected findings. Conclusions Long-term treatment with the insulin analogues detemir + aspart was superior to NPH + aspart in reducing HbA1c, with added benefits of less major and nocturnal hypoglycaemia and less weight gain. [source]


A comparison of budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy vs. conventional best practice in asthma management

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2009
R. Louis
Summary Objective:, To study the effectiveness and safety of budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort®) Maintenance And Reliever Therapy (Symbicort SMART®, AstraZeneca, Södertalje, Sweden), a simplified management approach with one inhaler compared with conventional best practice (CBP) with multiple inhalers in patients with persistent asthma. Design:, Open-label randomised controlled parallel group trial, 6-month treatment. Participants:, A total of 908 patients , 12 years of age, with persistent asthma receiving treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), either alone or in conjunction with long-acting ,2 -agonist. Main outcome measures:, Time to first severe asthma exacerbation and number of severe asthma exacerbations. Results:, No difference between groups was seen in time to first severe exacerbation (p = 0.75). Exacerbation rates were low in both groups. A total of 12 patients in the Symbicort SMART® group experienced a total of 14 severe asthma exacerbations, and 19 patients in the CBP group experienced a total of 25 severe asthma exacerbations (annual rate 0.07 vs. 0.13 p = 0.09). The mean daily dose of ICS expressed in BDP equivalent was significantly lower in the Symbicort SMART® group (including as-needed use) vs. in the CBP group (749 ,g vs. 1059 ,g; p < 0.0001). Mean scores in Asthma Control Questionnaire, 5 question version improved significantly in the SMART group compared with the CBP group (p = 0.0026). Symbicort SMART and CBP were equally well tolerated. The mean drug cost/patient/month was significantly lower for the patients in the Symbicort SMART group compared with patients receiving CBP (51.3 , vs. 66.5 ,; p < 0.0001). Conclusions:, In Belgian patients, a simplified regimen using budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy was at least as effective at improving clinical control compared with CBP with a significantly lower ICS dose and significantly lower drug costs. [source]


Comparison of the efficacy and safety of Eudragit-L-coated mesalazine tablets with ethylcellulose-coated mesalazine tablets in patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2006
P. R. GIBSON
Summary Background, There are no comparative studies of coated mesalazine. Aim, To compare the efficacy and tolerability of Eudragit-L- and ethylcellulose-coated mesalazine tablets in patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Methods, A double-blind, double-dummy, randomized parallel group trial was performed across 18 centres in Australia, and 20 in Eastern Europe. Patients were treated with 3 g mesalazine for 8 weeks with the primary efficacy end point being clinical remission. Results, Of 215 patients, 69% achieved clinical remission in both treatment groups (P < 0.001; chi-square test) with no differences in frequency of adverse events. In the Australian cohort (n = 63), the Eudragit-L group had a higher remission rate (73% vs. 36%) and responded 13 days faster, compared with those in the European group (67% vs. 84%, and 2 days respectively). No clear reasons for differences in treatment responses were identified. Conclusions, Eudragit-L and ethylcellulose-coated mesalazine tablets are well tolerated and equally effective in achieving remission in mild-moderately active ulcerative colitis over 8 weeks. [source]


Alverine citrate fails to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2002
S. A. Mitchell
Summary Background : Alverine citrate has been used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome for many years. Aims : To compare the efficacy and safety of a new formulation of alverine citrate, a 120-mg capsule, with placebo given three times daily for 12 weeks. Methods : One hundred and seven patients with irritable bowel syndrome were entered into this three-centre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial. The primary end-point was relief of abdominal pain indicated by improvement in the scores for severity and frequency. Secondary efficacy variables included scores for other clinical symptoms and for overall well-being. Results : The severity and frequency of abdominal pain improved in 66% and 68% of patients treated with alverine citrate vs. 58% and 69% of the placebo group, but these differences were not significant. The mean percentage reduction in the scores for abdominal pain from baseline to the final assessment, although greater in the alverine citrate group (43.7%) compared with the placebo group (33.3%), was not statistically significant. Conclusions : Alverine citrate is no better than placebo at relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Future trials should be designed to take into account the high and persistent placebo response seen in this condition. [source]


Effect of improved home ventilation on asthma control and house dust mite allergen levels

ALLERGY, Issue 11 2009
G. R. Wright
Background:, The warm, humid environment in modern homes favours the dust mite population, but the effect of improved home ventilation on asthma control has not been established. We tested the hypothesis that a domestic mechanical heat recovery ventilation system (MHRV), in addition to allergen avoidance measures, can improve asthma control by attenuating re-colonization rates. Methods:, We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group trial of the installation of MHRV activated in half the homes of 120 adults with asthma, allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. All homes had carpets steam cleaned and new bedding and mattress covers at baseline. The primary outcome was morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) at 12 months. Results:, At 12 months, the primary end-point; change in mean morning PEF as compared with baseline, did not differ between the MHRV group and the control group (mean difference 13.5 l/min, 95% CI: ,2.6 to 29.8, P = 0.10). However, a secondary end-point; evening mean PEF, was significantly improved in the MHRV group (mean difference 24.5 l/min, 95% CI: 8.9,40.1, P = 0.002). Indoor relative humidity was reduced in MHRV homes, but there was no difference between the groups in Der p 1 levels, compared with baseline. Conclusions:, The addition of MHRV to house dust mite eradication strategies did not achieve a reduction in mite allergen levels, but did improve evening PEF. [source]