Evidence of survival benefit was often ambiguous in randomized trials of cancer treatments.

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES:The objective of the study is to estimate the proportion of statistically significant survival improvements reported in randomized trials of cancer treatments that are also compatible with a clinically negligible benefit. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:This is a cross-sectional study of reports of randomized clinical trials of cancer treatments that reported a statistically significant increase in overall survival, published in leading journals between 2009 and 2019. The main outcome variable was the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival and its upper 95% confidence limit. An HR of 0.95 implies an absolute survival gain ≤1.9%, and an HR of 0.90 implies an absolute survival gain ≤3.8%; we reasoned that such survival gains can be considered clinically negligible, given the potential toxicity of oncologic treatments. RESULTS:Among 234 trial results, the mean point estimate of the HR was 0.664, and all HRs were below 0.90. The mean upper 95% confidence limit for the HR was 0.897, but 37.6% of the values were ≥0.95, and 59.0% were ≥0.90. These proportions were lower when overall survival was the primary outcome of the trial (29.9% ≥ 0.95 and 51.3% ≥ 0.90). CONCLUSIONS:Considering only point estimates of HRs, all trials reported clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival. However, the upper confidence limits of a large proportion of HRs were also compatible with clinically negligible survival gains. Acknowledging the uncertainty regarding treatment benefits presents a challenge for the reporting of trial results and for clinical decision-making.

journal_name

J Clin Epidemiol

authors

Perneger TV,Brindel P,Combescure C,Gayet-Ageron A

doi

10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.06.026

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2020-11-01 00:00:00

pages

1-8

eissn

0895-4356

issn

1878-5921

pii

S0895-4356(20)30145-1

journal_volume

127

pub_type

杂志文章
  • The use of clinical information in diagnosing chronic heart failure: a comparison between general practitioners, cardiologists, and students.

    abstract::In a clinical judgement analysis study, 27 general practitioners, 22 cardiologists, and 21 medical students assessed 40 case vignettes with regard to the probability of heart failure, in order to study the weights of different kinds of information (cues) measured by the regression coefficients in a multiple regression...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(00)00241-9

    authors: Skånér Y,Bring J,Ullman B,Strender LE

    更新日期:2000-11-01 00:00:00

  • Designing pragmatic trials-what can we learn from lessons learned?

    abstract::Pragmatic trials aim to inform clinical decision making by measuring the effect of a treatment in clinical practice. The purpose of the PRECIS-2 tool is to support in designing a truly pragmatic trial. We comment on a study by Forbes et al., who assessed the applicability of the PRECIS-2 tool. The tool will prove part...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.06.006

    authors: Groenwold RHH,Dekkers OM

    更新日期:2017-10-01 00:00:00

  • Patient characteristics and treatments associated with a decline in upper-body function following breast cancer therapy.

    abstract::Breast cancer therapy is often followed by a decline in upper-body function. Women (303) diagnosed with stage I or II breast cancer were interviewed 5 and 21 months after surgery and their medical records were reviewed. Women with cardiopulmonary comorbidity had an odds ratio for decline at the 5-month interview of 2....

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(99)00176-6

    authors: Lash TL,Silliman RA

    更新日期:2000-06-01 00:00:00

  • Insulin sensitivity markers: predictors of accidents and suicides in Helsinki Heart Study screenees.

    abstract::The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether elements signifying relative insulin sensitivity (IS) were prospectively linked to accidents and suicides in 14,976 Helsinki Heart Study (HHS) screenees. The main outcome measure was hospitalizations and deaths from accidents and suicide attempts determined from Finnis...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(02)00407-9

    authors: Golomb BA,Tenkanen L,Alikoski T,Niskanen T,Manninen V,Huttunen M,Mednick SA

    更新日期:2002-08-01 00:00:00

  • Assessment of sun sensitivity by questionnaire: validity of items and formulation of a prediction rule.

    abstract::Sun sensitivity is a major risk factor for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Several variables have been used in epidemiologic studies to measure sun sensitivity. The present study assesses their validity and combines them to form a prediction rule for an objective measure of sun...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/0895-4356(92)90104-u

    authors: Weinstock MA

    更新日期:1992-05-01 00:00:00

  • Pain and pain treatment were associated with traffic accident involvement in a cohort of middle-aged workers.

    abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:To assess the influence of medical conditions on road traffic accidents among a cohort of middle-aged workers and pensioners. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:A longitudinal study of 13,548 participants from a cohort study of French workers. Follow-up data covered the 1989-2000 period. Adjusted hazard...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2004.09.008

    authors: Lagarde E,Chastang JF,Lafont S,Coeuret-Pellicer M,Chiron M

    更新日期:2005-05-01 00:00:00

  • Clustering of cancer in families of patients with primary lung cancer.

    abstract::We have previously shown that patients with a positive family history of lung cancer did not exhibit characteristics expected if the familial association was a surrogate for a genetic mechanism which was absent in those without such a history. In this study, we examine the incidence of cancer (all sites) in two groups...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/0895-4356(91)90202-k

    authors: McDuffie HH

    更新日期:1991-01-01 00:00:00

  • Risk factors for site specific extracranial carotid artery plaque distribution as measured by B-mode ultrasound.

    abstract::The effect of age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, pulse rate and cigarette smoking on extracranial carotid artery plaque thickness evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography was investigated in a cross-sectional study of 698 white men, 730 white women, 77 black men and 76 black women as part of a clinical ultrasound registry. ...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/0895-4356(89)90151-0

    authors: Tell GS,Howard G,McKinney WM

    更新日期:1989-01-01 00:00:00

  • Multidimensional item response theory models yielded good fit and reliable scores for the Short Form-12 questionnaire.

    abstract:OBJECTIVES:To propose a multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) scoring system for the Short Form 12 (SF-12) with good psychometric properties in terms of fit and reliability. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS:Two models, indicating physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) dimensions, were fitted to SF-12 data f...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2013.02.007

    authors: Forero CG,Vilagut G,Adroher ND,Alonso J,ESEMeD\/MHEDEA Investigators.

    更新日期:2013-07-01 00:00:00

  • Methodologists and context experts disagreed regarding managing conflicts of interest of clinical practice guidelines panels.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:A new strategy to manage conflicts of interests (COIs) of a clinical guideline's panelists gives primary responsibility to a methodologist, puts equal emphasis on intellectual and financial COIs, and excludes panelists with primary conflicts from drafting or voting on recommendations. We explored the views of...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2011.12.013

    authors: Akl EA,Karl R,Guyatt GH

    更新日期:2012-07-01 00:00:00

  • Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of education and training interventions on trial recruitment; a systematic review.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of education and training interventions on recruitment to randomized and non-randomized trials. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:A systematic review of the effectiveness of education and training interventions for recruiters to trials. The review included ...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.05.013

    authors: Delaney H,Devane D,Hunter A,Hennessy M,Parker A,Murphy L,Cronin P,Smith V

    更新日期:2019-09-01 00:00:00

  • A critical review of methods for the assessment of patient-level interactions in individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized trials, and guidance for practitioners.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:Treatments may be more effective in some patients than others, and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomized trials provides perhaps the best method of investigating treatment-covariate interactions. Various methods are used; we provide a comprehensive critique and develop guidance on meth...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章,评审

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2010.11.016

    authors: Fisher DJ,Copas AJ,Tierney JF,Parmar MK

    更新日期:2011-09-01 00:00:00

  • Hui and Walter's latent-class reference-free approach may be more useful in assessing agreement than diagnostic performance.

    abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Hui and Walter developed a latent class approach to assess the accuracy of a diagnostic procedure when no reference test is available. Our objective was to compare sensitivity and specificity estimates obtained with this reference-free approach and standard approaches, and to examine how and wh...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2004.10.021

    authors: Bertrand P,Bénichou J,Grenier P,Chastang C

    更新日期:2005-07-01 00:00:00

  • Finding bile duct injuries using record linkage: a validated study of complications following cholecystectomy.

    abstract::Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced to Western Australia in 1991 and has become the method of choice for this procedure, although there are concerns about complications, particularly bile duct injuries. Previous studies have investigated this problem but have not confirmed the accuracy of coded information. We...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章,多中心研究

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(99)00043-8

    authors: Valinsky LJ,Hockey RL,Hobbs MS,Fletcher DR,Pikora TJ,Parsons RW,Tan P

    更新日期:1999-09-01 00:00:00

  • Alcohol drinking and bladder cancer.

    abstract::The relation between alcoholic beverage consumption and bladder cancer risk was investigated using data from a case-control study conducted between 1985 and 1992 in two areas of northern Italy. Cases were 727 patients with incident, histologically confirmed bladder cancer, and controls 1,067 patients admitted to the s...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章,多中心研究

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(02)00397-9

    authors: Pelucchi C,Negri E,Franceschi S,Talamini R,La Vecchia C

    更新日期:2002-07-01 00:00:00

  • The statistical significance of meta-analyses is frequently fragile: definition of a fragility index for meta-analyses.

    abstract:OBJECTIVES:Meta-analyses inform clinical practice by summarizing treatment effect estimates based on results from several trials. However, the statistical significance of a meta-analysis (i.e., whether the pooled treatment effect is statistically significant or not) may rely on the outcome of only a few patients from s...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2019.03.012

    authors: Atal I,Porcher R,Boutron I,Ravaud P

    更新日期:2019-07-01 00:00:00

  • Malignant neoplasms in the Japanese community of Hisayama: mortality and changing pattern during a 30-year observation period based on a consecutive autopsy series.

    abstract::To obtain a relatively true mortality from malignant neoplasms, we studied the frequency of cancers in the different sites and the changing patterns of the frequency and sites over time among residents of the community of Hisayama, where an autopsy-based population survey (autopsy rate, 80%) has been conducted since 1...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/0895-4356(95)00560-9

    authors: Nomiyama K,Ueda K,Kiyohara Y,Kato I,Ohmura T,Iwamoto H,Nakayama K,Ohmori M,Yoshitake T,Sueishi K,Tsuneyoshi M,Fujishima M

    更新日期:1996-01-01 00:00:00

  • Transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD): the TRIPOD statement.

    abstract::Prediction models are developed to aid health care providers in estimating the probability or risk that a specific disease or condition is present (diagnostic models) or that a specific event will occur in the future (prognostic models), to inform their decision making. However, the overwhelming evidence shows that th...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.11.010

    authors: Collins GS,Reitsma JB,Altman DG,Moons KG

    更新日期:2015-02-01 00:00:00

  • Serum albumin and risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and mortality: the role of cigarette smoking.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:Lower levels of serum albumin are associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality as well as with coronary heart disease and stroke incidence. These relationships have been examined with specific focus on the role of cigarette smoking. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:A prospective study of ...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2003.07.001

    authors: Shaper AG,Wannamethee SG,Whincup PH

    更新日期:2004-02-01 00:00:00

  • Reproducibility and relative validity of a self-administered semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire applied to younger women.

    abstract::We have evaluated the reproducibility and relative validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in a prospective study of risk factors for cervical neoplasia. The questionnaire is a modified version of one developed and evaluated in a middle-aged Danish population. In the present study, 122 w...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(96)00379-4

    authors: Friis S,Kruger Kjaer S,Stripp C,Overvad K

    更新日期:1997-03-01 00:00:00

  • Relative-risk ratio was a useful measure of differential association in cohort and case-series studies.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:The framework consists of cohort or case-series studies with intermittent exposure and two types of events. The aim is to define and estimate an association measure between the exposure and the occurrence of one type of event rather than the other. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:The model and the estimation method...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.07.014

    authors: Hocine MN,Tubert-Bitter P,Moreau T,Chavance M,Varon E,Guillemot D

    更新日期:2007-04-01 00:00:00

  • A case-control study found that low albumin and smoking were associated with aortic dissection.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:Hypertension is a risk factor for aortic dissection. Besides hypertension, associated factors for incidence of aortic dissection are not clear. The aim of this study was to examine whether other factors exist by an epidemiologic case-control approach. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:240 consecutive cases suffering ...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2003.09.010

    authors: Takeuchi T,Adachi H,Ohuchida M,Nakamura T,Satoh A,Jacobs DR Jr,Imaizumi T

    更新日期:2004-04-01 00:00:00

  • Cohort study of ethnic group and cardiovascular and total mortality over 15 years.

    abstract::Altogether, 3365 men and 3266 women who attended two cardiovascular screenings in 1974-1975 and 1977-1978, have been followed with respect to death for an average of 15 years. The mortality from coronary heart disease was lower in men who reported being of Lappish origin than in men who reported Norse origin at both s...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(97)00021-8

    authors: Tverdal A

    更新日期:1997-06-01 00:00:00

  • Accuracy of blood pressure measurement and anthropometry among volunteer observers in a large community survey.

    abstract::The Busselton Survey is a population survey that is held about every three years. In 1994-1995 a re-survey was held of all past participants and 8,502 attended. Financial constraints precluded employing staff for data collection for blood pressure and anthropometry, these therefore were collected by unpaid lay volunte...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(01)00492-9

    authors: Adams C,Burke V,Beilin LJ

    更新日期:2002-04-01 00:00:00

  • Oncology employees valued patient-oriented research over quality of work-life research: a qualitative study.

    abstract:OBJECTIVES:To assess the role of quality of work-life (QWL) research in a clinical research environment. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:A phenomenological qualitative research study was conducted. This research was conducted in a large Canadian ambulatory cancer treatment center that serves over 2.3 million people in Ontari...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.03.003

    authors: Sale JE

    更新日期:2008-05-01 00:00:00

  • Do medical devices have enhanced placebo effects?

    abstract::Although the placebo in a clinical trial is often considered simply a baseline against which to evaluate the efficacy of a clinical intervention, there is evidence that the magnitude of placebo effect may be a critical factor in determining the results of a trial. This article examines the question of whether devices ...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章,评审

    doi:10.1016/s0895-4356(00)00206-7

    authors: Kaptchuk TJ,Goldman P,Stone DA,Stason WB

    更新日期:2000-08-01 00:00:00

  • Methods to evaluate risks for composite end points and their individual components.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:Both randomized and observational studies commonly examine composite end points, but the literature on model development and criticism in this setting is limited. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:We examined approaches for evaluating heterogeneity in the effects of risk factors for different components of the end po...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2003.02.001

    authors: Glynn RJ,Rosner B

    更新日期:2004-02-01 00:00:00

  • Regression discontinuity was a valid design for dichotomous outcomes in three randomized trials.

    abstract:OBJECTIVE:Regression discontinuity (RD) is a quasi-experimental design that may provide valid estimates of treatment effects in case of continuous outcomes. We aimed to evaluate validity and precision in the RD design for dichotomous outcomes. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:We performed validation studies in three large ran...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.02.015

    authors: van Leeuwen N,Lingsma HF,Mooijaart SP,Nieboer D,Trompet S,Steyerberg EW

    更新日期:2018-06-01 00:00:00

  • Controversy and Debate Series on Core Outcome Sets. Paper 1: Improving the generalizability and credibility of core outcome sets (COS) by a large and international participation of diverse stakeholders.

    abstract::Core outcome sets (COSs) are agreed-on standardized sets of outcomes that should be minimally measured in all trials of a given disease. To enhance the uptake of COSs in trials, their generalizability should be increased by a change in the number and diversity of stakeholders involved in their development. Also, their...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.01.004

    authors: Chevance A,Tran VT,Ravaud P

    更新日期:2020-09-01 00:00:00

  • Trial sequential analysis reveals insufficient information size and potentially false positive results in many meta-analyses.

    abstract:OBJECTIVES:To evaluate meta-analyses with trial sequential analysis (TSA). TSA adjusts for random error risk and provides the required number of participants (information size) in a meta-analysis. Meta-analyses not reaching information size are analyzed with trial sequential monitoring boundaries analogous to interim m...

    journal_title:Journal of clinical epidemiology

    pub_type: 杂志文章

    doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.10.007

    authors: Brok J,Thorlund K,Gluud C,Wetterslev J

    更新日期:2008-08-01 00:00:00