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Tseng PT, Liang CS, Zeng BS, Hsu CW, Tu YK. Trick or treat? It's time to rethink the role of placebo in clinical trial. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 78:377-378. [PMID: 38619430 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Tao Tseng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Prospect Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology & Neurology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sung Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, Beitou Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Syuan Zeng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kang Tu
- Institute of Health Data Analytics & Statistics, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Poulter D, Miciak M, Durham J, Palese A, Rossettini G. Don't be a nocebo! Why healthcare organizations should value patients' expectations. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1393179. [PMID: 38694433 PMCID: PMC11061517 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1393179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Poulter
- MT3 Clinical Education and Consulting, Coon Rapids, MN, United States
| | - Maxi Miciak
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jerry Durham
- Client Experience Company, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alvisa Palese
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rossettini
- School of Physiotherapy, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Human Neurosciences, University of Rome “Sapienza Roma”, Rome, Italy
- Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain
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Răducan-Florea IV, Leaşu FG, Dinu EA, Rogozea LM. The Nocebo Effect: A Bias in Clinical Practice-An Ethical Approach. Am J Ther 2024:00045391-990000000-00183. [PMID: 38557480 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nocebo effect is often disregarded in medical practice and is certainly much less known than the placebo effect, although, in reality, both can influence therapeutic decision making and the quality of life of patients. However, the nocebo effect raises a number of issues not only of a practical nature related to clinical activity but also ethical dilemmas related to the observance of the patient's autonomy, nonmaleficence, or informed consent and the information on which it is based. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY The ethical dilemmas raised by the nocebo effect revolve around how informed consent can be achieved, the accuracy and volume of information that is transmitted to the patient, and how to report negative side effects of therapeutic treatment. DATA SOURCES In September 2023, a narrative analysis of the literature was conducted using a combination of keywords such as nocebo, placebo, ethics, therapeutic relationship from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and so on, as well as from official documents developed at an international level (World Health Organization), for a period of 10 years (2012-2021). RESULTS Analyzing the articles that remarked upon the significant impact of ethics in nocebo research or in the therapeutic relationship, we can state that the existence of several relevant issues of interest have been detected regarding the ethical use of nocebo and its impact in research or in clinics and thus the need for proper knowledge and management of the impact of nocebo effects. The ethical paradox of obtaining informed consent with the 2 goals, first, the need for complete information and second, the preservation of the autonomy of the patient, respectively, that of "primum non-nocere" and of avoiding unnecessary harm by revealing probable adverse effects is a point of interest for numerous studies. The potential for a nocebo effect is present when we inform patients about the risks and benefits of treatment, there being a clear link between the moral and ethical duty to inform patients and the need to avoid situations that increase the nocebo impact on how the disease or the adverse effects of the treatment are perceived. Adapting information about the side effects of medicines should focus on ensuring a balance between transparency and caution, especially in patients with a high potential for nocebo effect. CONCLUSIONS The nocebo effect had for a long time been unknown or denied, although it can interfere with the results of the treatment used. As the nocebo phenomenon becomes increasingly known in medical practice, the clinical and ethical implications are identified by medical staff, and nocebo's adverse responses are no longer ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florin G Leaşu
- Basic, Preventive and Clinical Sciences Department, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Eleonora A Dinu
- Basic, Preventive and Clinical Sciences Department, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Liliana M Rogozea
- Basic, Preventive and Clinical Sciences Department, Transilvania University, Brasov, Romania
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Pepoyan E, Marotta F, Manvelyan A, Galstyan A, Stepanyan L, Grigoryan H, Grigoryan L, Mikayelyan M, Balayan M, Harutyunyan N, Mirzabekyan S, Tsaturyan V, Torok T, Pepoyan A. Placebo-resistant gut bacteria: Akkermansia muciniphila spp. and Familial Mediterranean fever disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1336752. [PMID: 38465231 PMCID: PMC10920240 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1336752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite numerous investigations into the impact of drugs/probiotics on the gut microbiota composition in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients, the question as to whether there exists a significant bacterial diversity(ies) independent of the placebo effect that can be reliably considered in clinical and nutritional trials remains unresolved. Methods This study represents the in augural analysis of the placebo's influence on the gut microbiota of both healthy individuals and FMF afflicted men, utilizing previously collected data from PhyloChip™ DNA microarray experiments. A total of 15 healthy and 15 FMF male volunteers, aged 18 to 50, participated in this partially randomized placebo trial, which is accessible through the GEO Series accession number GSE111835. Results and Discussion Key findings from current investigations include i. the anticipated divergence in gut bacteria resistance to placebo between healthy and FMF individuals, ii. the minor impact of placebo on gut bacterial diversities in healthy individuals, with Enterobacteriaceae diversities identified as placebo-resistant among "healthy" gut bacteria, and iii. the comprehensive influence of placebo on all bacterial phyla in the gut microbiome of FMF patients, extending to nearly all bacterial genera, except for the resilience of gut Akkermansia muciniphila spp. to placebo in FMF patients. This study underscores the susceptibility of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, and Clostridium genera to placebo. Consequently, this investigation holds significance for the proper design of placebo-controlled trials and establishes a foundation for further exploration of the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, it contributes valuable insights to discussions regarding proposals for probiotic therapies, particularly focusing on Faecalibacterium spp., Blautia spp., and Clostridium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elya Pepoyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
- Faculty of Military Medicine, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | | | - Anahit Manvelyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Artak Galstyan
- Faculty of Military Medicine, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Lena Stepanyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hasmik Grigoryan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Liana Grigoryan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Mikayel Mikayelyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Marine Balayan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Natalya Harutyunyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Susanna Mirzabekyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Vardan Tsaturyan
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
- Faculty of Military Medicine, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Tamas Torok
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Astghik Pepoyan
- Food Safety and Biotechnology Department, Scientific Research Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Yerevan, Armenia
- International Association for Human and Animals Health Improvement, Yerevan, Armenia
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Tseng PT, Zeng BS, Hsu CW, Thompson T, Stubbs B, Hsueh PR, Su KP, Chen YW, Chen TY, Wu YC, Lin PY, Carvalho AF, Li DJ, Yeh TC, Sun CK, Cheng YS, Shiue YL, Liang CS, Tu YK. The difference in all-cause mortality between COVID-19 patients treated with standard of care plus placebo and those treated with standard of care alone: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of immunomodulatory kinase inhibitors. J R Soc Med 2024; 117:57-68. [PMID: 37971412 PMCID: PMC10949870 DOI: 10.1177/01410768231202657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to assess whether participants assigned to a placebo and standard of care (SoC) group had different major coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related outcomes than those assigned to SoC alone. DESIGN Frequentist model-based NMA. SETTING We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of Janus kinase/Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the management of COVID-19. PARTICIPANTS Patients with COVID-19 infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the 28-day all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes were: (1) use of mechanical ventilation; (2) secondary bacterial infection; (3) acceptability (i.e. drop-out rate); and (4) safety (i.e. serious adverse events). We conducted an NMA using the frequentist model. Effect sizes were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS We identified 14 eligible RCTs enrolling a total of 13,568 participants with COVID-19. Participants assigned to placebo plus SoC had a significantly higher risk of 28-day all-cause mortality than those receiving SoC alone (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.07-1.79). This finding did not change substantially by subgroup analysis stratified by epidemiology factor, pandemic history progression and statistical methodologic consideration. In addition, none of the treatments investigated were associated with a significantly different risk of secondary bacterial infection, acceptability or safety compared with the SoC group. CONCLUSIONS This NMA suggested a higher all-cause mortality in patients treated with placebo plus SoC compared with those treated with SoC alone. However, caution is advised in interpreting these results due to the absence of a direct head-to-head comparison. Future research should critically evaluate the necessity of placebo administration in COVID-19 RCTs and consider alternative study designs to minimise potential biases.Trial registration: The current study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan (TSGHIRB No. B-109-29) and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022376217).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Tao Tseng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
- Prospect Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology & Neurology, Kaohsiung, 811, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, 80424, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Syuan Zeng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
| | - Trevor Thompson
- Centre for Chronic Illness and Ageing, University of Greenwich, London, SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Brendon Stubbs
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
- Physiotherapy Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, BR3 3BX, UK
- Faculty of Health, Social Care Medicine and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CB1 1PT, UK
| | - Po-Ren Hsueh
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Pin Su
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
- Mind-Body Interface Research Center (MBI-Lab), China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan 709, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Wen Chen
- Prospect Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology & Neurology, Kaohsiung, 811, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Yu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 11490, Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Cheng Wu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Landseed International Hospital, Taoyuan, 32449, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Yen Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
- Institute for Translational Research in Biomedical Sciences, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment (IMPACT) Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Dian-Jeng Li
- Department of Addiction Science, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung City, 802211, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chuan Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital; School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 11490, Taiwan
| | - Cheuk-Kwan Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan
- School of Medicine for International Students, College of Medicine, I-Shou University Kaohsiung, 824, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shian Cheng
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Tsyr-Huey Mental Hospital, Kaohsiung Jen-Ai’s Home, Kaohsiung, 831, Taiwan
| | - Yow-Ling Shiue
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sung Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 11490, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kang Tu
- Institute of Health Data Analytics & Statistics, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
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Liou KT, Ashare R, Worster B, Jones KF, Yeager KA, Acevedo AM, Ferrer R, Meghani SH. SIO-ASCO guideline on integrative medicine for cancer pain management: implications for racial and ethnic pain disparities. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2023; 7:pkad042. [PMID: 37307074 PMCID: PMC10336300 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Racial and ethnic disparities in pain management pose major challenges to equitable cancer care delivery. These disparities are driven by complex interactions between patient-, provider-, and system-related factors that resist reductionistic solutions and require innovative, holistic approaches. On September 19, 2022, the Society for Integrative Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology published a joint guideline to provide evidence-based recommendations on integrative medicine for cancer pain management. Integrative medicine, which combines conventional treatments with complementary modalities from cultures and traditions around the world, are uniquely equipped to resonate with diverse cancer populations and fill existing gaps in pain management. Although some complementary modalities, such as music therapy and yoga, lack sufficient evidence to make a specific recommendation, other modalities, such as acupuncture, massage, and hypnosis, demonstrated an intermediate level of evidence, resulting in moderate strength recommendations for their use in cancer pain management. However, several factors may hinder real-world implementation of the Society for Integrative Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology guideline and must be addressed to ensure equitable pain management for all communities. These barriers include, but are not limited to, the lack of insurance coverage for many complementary therapies, the limited diversity and availability of complementary therapy providers, the negative social norms surrounding complementary therapies, the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic subgroups in the clinical research of complementary therapies, and the paucity of culturally attuned interventions tailored to diverse individuals. This commentary examines both the challenges and the opportunities for addressing racial and ethnic disparities in cancer pain management through integrative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Liou
- Integrative Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca Ashare
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Brooke Worster
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katie F Jones
- Center for Aging and Serious Illness, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Yeager
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amanda M Acevedo
- Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca Ferrer
- Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Salimah H Meghani
- Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Thomaidou MA, Blythe JS, Peerdeman KJ, van Laarhoven AIM, Van Schothorst MME, Veldhuijzen DS, Evers AWM. Learned Nocebo Effects on Cutaneous Sensations of Pain and Itch: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Experimental Behavioral Studies on Healthy Humans. Psychosom Med 2023; 85:308-321. [PMID: 36961347 PMCID: PMC10171297 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In past decades, the field of nocebo research has focused on studying how sensory perception can be shaped by learning. Nocebo effects refer to aggravated sensory experiences or increased sensitivity to sensations such as pain and itch resulting from treatment-related negative experiences. Behavioral conditioning and verbal suggestions of a negative treatment outcome may aggravate pain and itch perception. Gaining a comprehensive view of the magnitude of nocebo effects and contributing factors will help steer nocebo research toward fruitful directions for understanding complex sensory phenomena. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of a total of 37 distinct experimental nocebo studies on healthy participants (all published in English between 2008 and 2021), with four separate meta-analyses for nocebo effects on pain or itch. We conducted subgroup analyses and meta-regression on factors such as type and intensity of sensory stimuli, and length of conditioning paradigms. RESULTS This meta-analysis showed that, on average, effect sizes of nocebo effects were moderate to large (Hedges g between 0.26 and 0.71 for the four primary outcomes). The combination of conditioning and verbal suggestions yielded stronger nocebo responses on pain in particular. Subgroup analyses, including factors such as the type of sensory stimulation, did not explain the moderate heterogeneity in nocebo magnitudes between different studies. Risk of bias was generally low and was not related to nocebo magnitudes either. CONCLUSIONS We discuss these results in relation to the role of conditioning and aversive learning, and we recommend more consistency in designing and reporting nocebo experiments.
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Tay PWL, Ng CH, Lin SY, Chin YH, Xiao J, Lim WH, Lim SY, Fu CE, Chan KE, Quek J, Tan DJH, Chew N, Syn N, Keitoku T, Tamaki N, Siddiqui MS, Noureddin M, Muthiah M, Huang DQ, Loomba R. Placebo Adverse Events in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Trials: A Pooled Analysis of 2,944 Participants. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:645-653. [PMID: 36191268 PMCID: PMC10792533 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the absence of an effective treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) remains the current gold standard study design in NASH. As NASH is a largely asymptomatic disease, the side effects of potential therapies require careful evaluation, therefore a pooled rate of the adverse events (AEs) in placebo-treated patients serves as a useful comparator for safety. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the rate of AEs among participants in the placebo arm of NASH RCTs. METHODS Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to include clinical trials in phase 2-4 NASH RCTs with placebo treatment arms. A pooled proportions of AEs were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals. RESULTS A total of 41 RCTs (2,944 participants on placebo) were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 68% (confidence interval [CI] 55%-77%) of participants on placebo experienced an AE, 7.8% (5.7%-10%) experienced serious AEs and 3.1% (CI: 1.9%-5.1%) experienced AEs leading to discontinuation. A significantly higher proportion of participants experienced serious AEs in phase 3 studies compared to in phase 2 studies ( P < 0.01) and in pharmaceutical funded studies as compared to studies which were federal-funded studies ( P < 0.01). An analysis of clinical trials evaluating bile acid modulating agents determined that 10% (CI: 5.5%-18%) of participants receiving placebo developed pruritus. DISCUSSION The present study summarizes the AEs with NASH placebo. Among participants in the placebo arm in NASH, two-third experienced an AE, and nearly 10% experienced a serious AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Wen Lin Tay
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheng Han Ng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Snow Yunni Lin
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yip Han Chin
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jieling Xiao
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Hui Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sze Yinn Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Clarissa Elysia Fu
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kai En Chan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jingxuan Quek
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Darren Jun Hao Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas Chew
- Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Nicholas Syn
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Taisei Keitoku
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuharu Tamaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad Shadab Siddiqui
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Cedars-Sinai Fatty Liver Program, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mark Muthiah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Daniel Q. Huang
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, California, USA
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Bavbek S, Ozyigit LP, Baiardini I, Braido F, Roizen G, Jerschow E. Placebo, Nocebo, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Drug Allergy. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:371-379. [PMID: 36521832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sevim Bavbek
- Division of Allergy and Clinical of Immunology, Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Leyla Pur Ozyigit
- Adult Allergy Service, Glenfield Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Baiardini
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Università di Genova, (DIMI), Genova, Italy
| | - Fulvio Braido
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Università di Genova, (DIMI), Genova, Italy
| | - Gigia Roizen
- Department of Immunology, Clinica Alemana De Santiago, Santiago, Chile
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Warden BA, Guyton JR, Kovacs AC, Durham JA, Jones LK, Dixon DL, Jacobson TA, Duell PB. Assessment and management of statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS): A clinical perspective from the National Lipid Association. J Clin Lipidol 2023; 17:19-39. [PMID: 36115813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) are the most common form of statin intolerance and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events that manifest from statin underutilization and discontinuation. The reported frequencies of SAMS are divergent in the literature. The writing group estimates the prevalence of SAMS, namely all muscle symptoms temporally related to statin use but without regard to causality, to be about 10% (range 5% to 25%), and the prevalence of pharmacological SAMS, specifically muscle symptoms resulting from pharmacological properties of the statin, to be about 1-2% (range 0.5% to 4%). In clinical practice, SAMS are likely to result from a combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological effects, however this does not make the symptoms any less clinically relevant. Regardless of the etiology, SAMS need to be addressed in accordance with patients' preferences and experiences. This clinical perspective reviews the epidemiology and underlying pathophysiology of SAMS, and the cardiovascular consequences resulting from statin discontinuation. We present patient-centered clinical and communication strategies to mitigate SAMS and improve medication adherence and outcomes among statin users. Treatment strategies include 1) optimizing lifestyle interventions, 2) modulating risk factors that may contribute to muscle symptoms, 3) optimizing statin tolerability by dose reduction, decreased dosing frequency, or use of an alternate statin with more favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and 4) use of non-statins, emphasizing those with evidence for atherosclerotic risk reduction, either in combination with or in place of statin therapy depending on the patient's circumstances. The focus of this clinical perspective is sustainable lipoprotein goal achievement, which is important for cardiovascular risk reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Warden
- Center for Preventive Cardiology, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA (Dr Warden), (Dr. Duell).
| | - John R Guyton
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA (Dr Guyton).
| | - Adrienne C Kovacs
- CPsych, Equilibria Psychological Health, Toronto, ON, Canada (Dr Kovacs).
| | | | - Laney K Jones
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger; Danville, PA, USA (Dr Jones).
| | - Dave L Dixon
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, United States (Dr Dixon).
| | - Terry A Jacobson
- Department of Medicine, Lipid Clinic and CVD Risk Reduction Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States (Dr Jacobson).
| | - P Barton Duell
- Center for Preventive Cardiology, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA (Dr Warden), (Dr. Duell); Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
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11
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Blease C. Sharing online clinical notes with patients: implications for nocebo effects and health equity. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2022; 49:medethics-2022-108413. [PMID: 35918134 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2022-108413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Patients in around 20 countries worldwide are now offered online access to at least some of their medical records. Access includes test results, medication lists, referral information, and/or the very words written by clinicians (so-called 'open notes'). In this paper, I discuss the possibility of one unintended negative consequence of patient access to their clinical notes-the potential to increase 'nocebo effects'. A growing body of research shows that nocebo effects arise by engaging perceptual and cognitive processes that influence negative expectancies, and as a consequence, adverse health effects. Studies show that increased awareness about the side effects of medications, the framing of information and the socioemotional context of care can increase the risk of nocebo effects. Connecting research into the nocebo effect with open notes provides preliminary support for the hypothesis that patient access to clinical notes might be a forum for facilitating unwanted nocebo effects. Furthermore, current findings indicate that we might expect to see systematic differences in how nocebo effects are experienced among different patient populations. The ethical implications of the tension between transparency and the potential for harm are discussed, with an emphasis on what open notes might mean for justice and equity in clinical care for a range of already marginalised patient populations. I argue that to resolve these challenges does not thereby justify 'closed notes', and conclude with suggestions for how health systems and clinicians might adapt to this innovation to reduce the risk of potential nocebo effects arising via this novel route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Blease
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Gersner R, Barnea-Ygael N, Tendler A. Moderators of the response to deep TMS for smoking addiction. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1079138. [PMID: 36699493 PMCID: PMC9869803 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1079138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS™) was recently cleared by the FDA as a short-term treatment for smoking cessation. However, it is unknown which participants are more likely to benefit from the treatment. METHODS We evaluated the data from the published randomized controlled trial of 262 participants 22-70 years old that led to the FDA clearance to characterize demographic and smoking history factors that moderate Deep TMS treatment efficacy. The current analysis included 75 completers in the active TMS group and 94 completers in the sham TMS group. RESULTS We found that participants younger than 40 had four times the quit rate than those older than 40. Additionally, participants who quit following treatment smoked 10 years less than non-quitters. Moreover, Caucasian participants had two times the quit rate than African-American participants. Strikingly, participants with more than 12 years of education had 7 times the quit rate than participants with less education. CONCLUSION Three weeks of Deep TMS has a higher smoking addiction quit rate in participants who are younger, more educated, Caucasian and with less extensive smoking history. Participants who are older, with less education and more extensive smoking history may need a longer treatment course and/or combined treatment modalities. Potential reasons may be related to the challenges of inducing neuronal modifications in those with greater physical and psychological dependence. Further investigation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noam Barnea-Ygael
- BrainsWay, Burlington, VT, United States.,Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Aron Tendler
- BrainsWay, Burlington, VT, United States.,Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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