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How to assess new drugs for neuropathies: advances in trial design and methodology
Pieter A van Doorn1, Ingemar S J Merkies
1Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.a.vandoorn@erasmusmc.nl
Purpose Of Review:
New randomized controlled trials are very much needed to improve the outcome in patients with a variety of peripheral neuropathies. A relatively low incidence of immune-mediated neuropathies such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy, and slow progression in diabetic or hereditary neuropathies may hinder a rapid inclusion and may lead to undesirable extended trial duration.
Recent Findings:
Some recent randomized controlled trials use modern trial methodology. Identification of prognostic factors, stratification for important variables at randomization, and the selection of appropriate outcome measurements using a modern clinimetric approach may contribute to a more proper randomized controlled trial design for trials that can be conducted within a limited time frame.
Summary:
Modern trial methodology and the appropriate use of outcome measurements may improve the quality and reduce the numbers of patients needed in randomized controlled trials in patients with peripheral neuropathies.
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