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Ethical problems of evaluating a new treatment for melioidosis

Cheng, Allen C., Lowe, M., Stephens, D. P. and Currie, Bart J. (2003). Ethical problems of evaluating a new treatment for melioidosis. BMJ: British Medical Journal,327(7426):1280-1282.

Document type: Journal Article
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Title Ethical problems of evaluating a new treatment for melioidosis
Author Cheng, Allen C.
Lowe, M.
Stephens, D. P.
Currie, Bart J.
Journal Name BMJ: British Medical Journal
Publication Date 2003
Volume Number 327
Issue Number 7426
ISSN 0959-535X   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 1280
End Page 1282
Total Pages 3
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Effective treatment of patients requires that is based on the best available evidence, ideally a randomised controlled trial. However, when observational evidence suggests that a treatment has a large benefit, the potential risks to participants make a randomised trial hard to justify. We had to abandon a trial to evaluate the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with melioidosis in septic shock because we were unable to balance the risks to patients against the scientific uncertainty. This article describes the problems experienced and considers other methods of obtaining good evidence.
Keywords Ethical
melioidosis
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7426.1280.   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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Created: Mon, 26 Nov 2007, 15:07:47 CST