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Trials within cohorts （TwiCs） are design methods derived from randomized controlled trials （RCTS）. They have been widely used in chronic disease areas such as tumors and cardiovascular diseases. The basis of the TwiCs design is a prospective cohort of specific diseases. When RCTS need to be implemented， some patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria are randomly sampled from the cohort to receive "trial interventions"， while the remaining patients in the cohort who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria continue to receive conventional treatment as control groups. By comparing the efficacy differences between the intervention measures of the trial group and the control group， the efficacy of intervention measures was evaluated. Within the cohort， the same process could be repeated to carry out multiple RCTS， so as to evaluate different intervention measures or compare the efficacy of different doses or timing of interventions. Compared with classical RCTS， TwiCs make it easier to recruit patients from the cohort and have higher external validity， providing a new research paradigm for improving the efficiency and applicability of RCTS in clinical practice. However， TwiCs may also face the challenge of poor compliance of patients in the cohort. Researchers need to take effective measures to control these patients in the design and operation of TwiCs. This article focused on the methodological key points during the implementation of TwiCs， including multi-stage informed consent （patients are informed of consent at three stages： entering the cohort， entering the trial group， and after the trial）， randomization procedures （only random sampling of patients from the cohort to receive "trial interventions"）， sample size calculation， and statistical analysis methods. The article also compared the differences between TwiCs and traditional RCTS and illustrated TwiCs research design and analysis with examples， so as to provide new research ideas and methods for clinical researchers.
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ObjectiveThis study aims to understand the recognition of practitioners in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） hospitals on hospital-based health technology assessment （HB-HTA）， assessment needs， challenges， and suggestions， so as to provide references for the future work. MethodThe convenient sampling method was adopted to survey the relevant practitioners in TCM hospitals. The questionnaire included 39 questions in 4 dimensions and was distributed through the online platform Weijuanxing. ResultA total of 244 questionnaires were recovered， and the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS. The results showed that 137 practitioners were very familiar with HB-HTA and there was no significant difference in the recognition of practitioners in different occupations （F=0.251； P=0.778）. The practitioners in Hong Kong， Macao， and Taiwan had lower recognition than those in other regions. In terms of the assessment needs， 127 practitioners believed that it was very necessary to carry out HB-HTA in TCM hospitals in the future. Chinese patent medicines/Chinese herbal medicine decoction pieces （5.91） and TCM appropriate technology （5.57） had higher assessment priority scores. The assessment needs were high for the effectiveness （235 practitioners） and safety （224 practitioners） of health technology. The lack of specialized organization and standardized evaluation process system and the shortage of talents were considered to be the major challenges for the future development in this field. ConclusionThe stakeholders carrying out the health technology assessment in TCM hospitals had certain awareness of HB-HTA. Most practitioners believed that it was necessary to carry out HB-HTA in TCM hospitals in the future， while the work might face challenges such as the lack of organizations and system and the shortage of talents， which requires policy support.
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The quality evaluation of the blind method is to evaluate the clinical blind data obtained from clinical trials adopting the blind method and judge the effectiveness of the blind method by investigating the blind effect of different blind objects. A successful blind method can avoid the influence of subjective factors on the test results of subjects and researchers to a certain extent. The quality evaluation of the blind method can reflect not only the effectiveness of the blind method but also the accuracy and credibility of clinical trial results. In recent years， randomized controlled trials have been widely used in the evaluation of the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， but the quality of the implementation of blind methods is uneven， and the evaluation criteria have not yet been formed. In this paper， the data collection methods， calculation principles， advantages， and disadvantages of two quantitative quality evaluation methods of blind methods， namely James Blinding Index （JBI） and Bang Blinding Index （BBI）， were introduced. The two indexes were analyzed in a randomized controlled trial of acupuncture and moxibustion to relieve postoperative oral pain. The calculation process of the results was demonstrated by R software and visualized by forest map. At the same time， a tool table was designed to facilitate the collection of evaluation data of blind methods in TCM clinical trials at different stages. Finally， the necessity and feasibility of quality evaluation of blind method in TCM research were discussed to provide a basis for evaluating and improving the quality of blind method implementation in TCM clinical trials.
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Target trial emulation， using observational data to emulate a target trial， applies the study design principles of randomized controlled trials to observational studies that aim to estimate the effect of an intervention. The advantage of target trial emulation is that observational data is used to emulate a target trial when it is not appropriate to conduct randomized controlled trials. Target trial emulation can control bias caused by the design of observational studies， and improve the effectiveness of causal inference from observational data. This paper introduced the methodological framework and key points in terms of eligibility criteria， treatment strategies， assignment procedures， grace period， outcomes， follow-up period， effect contrasts， and statistical plan for implementing target trial emulation. This article elucidated the feasibility and necessity of applying target trail emulation in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine researches， and highlighted the challenges encountered in its implementation， such as the need for specialized personnel， data collection and integration， and the control of confounding factors.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation with Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ （AGREE Ⅱ）tool， and to study the attention situation of the included Chinese patent medicines in China's National Reimbursement Drug List in the guidelines/consensus. MethodThe data of CNKI，VIP，Wanfang Data，SinoMed，PubMed and Cochrane from the inception of the databases to October 2021 were searched to collect the TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation. Then，the diagnosis and treatment standards and recommended Chinese patent medicines were extracted. Two researchers assessed the methodological quality of the guidelines/consensus with AGREE Ⅱ tool independently. The quality of reports was evaluated by Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare （RIGHT） Statement. The recommended Chinese patent medicines in the guidelines/consensus were compared with those in the National Reimbursement Drug List. ResultEleven consensus and 2 guidelines were included，involving 794 experts. The scores of AGREE II were clarity of presentation（59.0%），scope and purpose（44.0%），stakeholder involvement（23.1%），rigor of development （12.1%），applicability （11.1%），and editorial independence （8.3%） from high to low. Five articles were recommended at B level（recommended after revision） and 8 articles were at C level （not recommended）. The average scores of RIGHT Statement were as follows：basic information （93.59%），background （57.69%），evidence （18.46%），recommendations （20.88%），review and quality assurance （19.23%），funding，declaration and management of interests （0.00%）， and other information （0.00%）. The included guidelines/consensus recommended a total of 27 Chinese patent medicines，among which 20 were included in the National Reimbursement Drug List，with 4 species of Class A and 16 species of Class B， accounting for 74.1% of all recommended Chinese patent medicines. Ten purgative Chinese patent medicines in the National Reimbursement Drug List were recommended by the guidelines/consensus，accounting for 50% of all purgative drugs， and 8 were not recommended. There were prescriptions for purgation， for promoting digestion and removing food stagnation， for clearing heat and purging fire，and for warming the middle and dissipating cold，Tibetan medicine and Mongolian medicine. ConclusionBy the AGREE Ⅱ assessment，the methodological quality of the TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation included in this study needed to be improved in the future. The report quality evaluated with RIGHT Statement was low. Most drugs included in the National Reimbursement Drug List were paid attention in the TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines/consensus of constipation. Moreover，the drugs included in the National Reimbursement Drug List could basically fulfill the clinical needs reflexed from the guidelines/consensus recommendations. However， the reasons of some drugs failing to be included in the National Reimbursement Drug List needed to be studied in the future.
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Objective:To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Jiuwei-Zhuhuang San plus amoxilcillin sodium and sulbactam sodium in the treatment of bacterial pneumonia in children. Methods:A total of 120 patients with bacterial pneumonia in children from 1 year to 14 years old were randomly divided into the study group ( n=90) and the control group ( n=30) with ratio 3 to 1, the random sequence created by SAS software. Both groups were treated with amoxilcillin sodium for basic treatment, the observation group was treated with Jiuwei-Zhuhuang San. Both groups were treated for 1 week and followed up for 1 week. The cough frequency, clinical effective rate, symptoms and signs score, Traditonal Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern scores and adverse event rate were observed. Results:Eighteen cases were dropped and eliminated in the observation group, and 4 cases were dropped and eliminated in the control group, so 72 of observation group and 26 of control group were analyzed. After treatment, the clinical effective rate of the observation group was 27.8% (20/72), and the control group was 0% (0/26), where the difference was significant ( χ2=7.445, P=0.006). The difference of TCM syndrome score before and after treatment in the observation group (-16.8 ± 8.2 vs. -11.0 ± 5.8, t=-3.858) was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01). There was significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-2.347, P= 0.019) in the TCM syndrome. The cough frequency of the observation group was 41.7% (30/72), and the control group was 26.9% (7/26). There wasn’t any significant differences in the cough frequency between two groups ( P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in symptoms and signs score or adverse event rate between two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:On the basis of amoxicillin sodium and sulbactam sodium, combined use of Jiuwei-Zhuhuang San can improve the clinical effectiveness of children with bacterial pneumonia.
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OBJECTIVE：To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Shenfu qiangxin pills combined with chemical medicine conventional therapy in the treatment of chronic heart failure ，and to provide evidence-based reference for clinical drug use. METHODS ：Retrieved from CNKI ，Wanfang database ，VIP，Google Scholar ，PubMed，the Cochrane Library and Embase database ，RCTs about Shengfu qiangxin pills combined with chemical medicine conventional therapy （trial group ） versus chemical medicine conventional treatment （control group ）were collected during the inception to May 12th，2020. After literature screening and data extraction ，the quality of the literatures was evaluated with risk bias assessment tool recommended by Cochrane 5.1.0 system evaluator manual. Meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed by using Stata 14.0 software. RESULTS：A total of 7 RCTs were included ，involving 596 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the total response rate of trial group was significantly higher than that of control group [OR ＝4.14，95％CI（2.15，7.97），P＜0.000 01]；the results of sub-group analysis according to the different criteria for determining the efficacy showed that the total response rates of trial group determined by Lee integral method and cardiac function grading method were sig nificantly higher than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment ，N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） level of trial group was significantly lower than that of control group [OR ＝－1.33，95％CI（－1.55， qq.com －1.11），P＜0.000 01]. Results of sub-group analysis accor- ding to cardiac failure type showed that NT-proBNP level of patients with chronic heart failure in trial group was lower than control group （P＜0.001）. The level of left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）in trial group after treatment [WMD ＝5.76，95％CI （5.05，6.47），P＜0.000 01] was significantly higher than control group ；after treatment ，the level of B-type natriuretic peptide [SMD＝－1.61，95％CI（－2.58，－0.54），P＜0.000 01]，left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVEDD）level [WMD ＝ －6.06，95％CI（－6.84，－5.27），P＜0.000 01]，left ventricular end-systolic diameter level [WMD ＝－0.52，95％CI（－5.70，－4.33）， P＜0.000 01] were significantly lower than control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups（P＞0.05）. Results of sensitivity analysis showed that when NT-proBNP ，LVEF level ，LVEDD level after treatment were used as indicators ，there was no significant difference in the analysis results after eliminating heterogeneity source ， compared with before elimination. CONCLUSIONS ：Shenfu qiangxin pills combined with chemical medicine conventional treatment has good efficacy and safety.
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Objective@#To investigate the safety and efficacy of the Weitan Waifu patch on the postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) of gastrointestinal cancer.@*Methods@#The multi-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with superiority design. Patients with PGS of gastrointestinal cancer diagnosed in 4 AAA hospitals and the abdominal symptom manifested as cold syndrome by Chinese local syndrome differentiation were recruited. These patients were randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1 proportion. Placebo or Weitan Waifu patch was applied in control group or intervention group, respectively, based on the basic treatments, including nutrition support, gastrointestinal decompression, promoting gastric dynamics medicine.Two acupuncture points (Zhongwan and Shenque) were stuck with placebo in control group or patch in treatment group. The intervention course was 14 days or reached the effective standard.@*Results@#From July 15, 2013 to Jun 3, 2015, 128 participants were recruited and 120 eligible cases were included in the full analysis set (FAS), and 60 cases in each group. 88 cases were included in the per-protocol set (PPS), including 45 cases in the treatment group and 43 cases in the control group. In the FAS, the clinical effective rate in the treatment group was 68.3%, significantly superior than 41.7% of the control group (P=0.003). The medium time of effective therapy in the treatment group was 8 days, significantly shorter than 10 days in the control group (P=0.017). In the FAS, 3 adverse events occurred in the treatment group, including mild to moderate decrustation, pruritus and nausea. The incidence rate of adverse events was 5.0% (3/60) and these symptoms were spontaneously remitted after drug withdrawal. No severe adverse events were observed in the control group. There was no significant difference between these two groups (P=0.244).@*Conclusion@#Weitan Waifu patch is a safely and effectively therapeutic method for patients with PGS (cold syndrome) of gastroenterological cancer.@*Trial registration@#International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register, ISRCTN18291857
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Public hospital's public property is mainly reflected in providing people with equitable access, quality and efficiency of basic medical services. However, due to lack of understanding in importance of the medical services positive and negative externalities, lead to the dilution of commonweal of public hospital. Meanwhile, externalities caused by transaction costs and unclear property rights in medical services activities further exacerbate welfare fade. The government should take effective measures to protect and encourage positive externalities, prevent and control the negative externali-ties, and, by way of reducing transaction costs, clear property rights to resolve external effects, as far as possible to pro-tect the public interest in public hospitals.
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A nested case-control study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of Chinese medicines in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, so as to explore the feasibility of using nested case-control study on effect assessment of Chinese medicine.
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Following the development of clinical trials, the methodology of clinical trials has developed a great deal, including randomization method and blinding method, etc. The method of randomization includes simple randomization, stratification randomization, etc. Dynamic randomization is also considered as a method of randomization. Two dynamic randomization methods are introduced in this paper, including a method considering the balance of numbers in each group and a method considering prognostic factors. This paper also demonstrates the procedure of dynamic randomization of the above two methods by simulations and actual examples.
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Objective To explore the effect of interaction between alcohol dehydrogenase 1B-1/2 (ADH1B·1/2) polymorphism and obesity on premature coronary heart disease (p-CHD).Methods Hospital-based case-control study was conducted.The newly diagnosed CHD patients were recruited as the subjects.One hundred and ninety-seven CHD patients diagnosed before 60 years old for males and 65 years old for females were assigned to the p-CHD case group with other 205 late onset CHD patients as the control group.Body mass index≥28 kg/m2 was defined as the obesity.Polymerase chain reaction-reatriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect the ADH1B·1/2 polymorphism.Multivariate logistic regression model was performed to adjust the potential confounding factors and odds ratio estimation.Synergy index (S), relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), and attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) were measured to assess the interaction as departure from additivity.Results There was a positive correlation between ADH1B ·1/2 polymorphism and obesity in patients with p-CAD.S was 2.07, RERI was 1.20, and AP was 36.1%.After adjusting sex, smoking index, alcohol drinking index, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose by multiple logistic regression, there was also a positive correlation between ADH1B* 1/2 polymorphism and obesity.S was 2.24, RERI was 1.24, and AP was 38.3% after adjustment.Conclusions The interaction between ADH1B*1/2 polymorphism and obesity has a positive effect on the p-CAD in this studied population.