“
“Background: Diagnostic problems in clinical trials are sometimes ordinal. For example, colon tumor
staging was performed according selleck kinase inhibitor to the TNM classification. However, clinical data are limited by markedly small sample sizes in some stage.
Methods: We propose a distribution-free test for detecting ordered alternatives in a completely randomized design. The new statistic is based on summing all correctly (ascending) ordered samples.
Results: The exact mean and variance of the null distribution are derived and it is shown that this distribution is asymptotically normal. Furthermore, we show using Monte Carlo simulation that the proposed test is a significant improvement over the Terpstra-Magel test. That is, power is decreased where the investigator falsely assumes an a priori ordering relationship.
Conclusions: We S3I-201 manufacturer conclude that these tests frequently detect an ordered trend when, in fact, one does not exist. However, the new test can reduce the error rate, at least not to the extent in which the Jonckheere-Terpstra test does.”
“We previously reported on an objective new tool that uses quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) normative- and referenced-electroencephalography sampling databases (currently called Psychiatric EEG Evaluation Registry [PEER]), which may assist physicians in determining
medication selection for optimal efficacy to overcome trial-and-error prescribing. The PEER test compares drug-free QEEG features for individual patients to a database of patients with similar EEG patterns and known outcomes after pharmacological interventions. Based on specific EEG data elements and historical outcomes, the PEER Report may also serve as a marker of future severe adverse events (eg, agitation, hostility, aggressiveness, suicidality, homicidality, mania, hypomania) with specific medications. We used a retrospective chart review to investigate the clinical utility of such a registry in a naturalistic environment.
Results: This chart review demonstrated significant improvement on the global assessment scales Clinical Global Impression
– Improvement and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction – Short Form as well as time to maximum medical improvement and decreased suicidality occurrences. The review also showed selleck inhibitor that 54.5% of previous medications causing a severe adverse event would have been raised as a caution had the PEER Report been available at the time the drug was prescribed. Finally, due to the significant amount of off-label prescribing of psychotropic medications, additional, objective, evidence-based data aided the prescriber toward better choices.
Conclusion: The PEER Report may be useful, particularly in treatment-resistant patients, in helping to guide medication selection. Based on the preliminary data obtained from this chart review, additional studies are warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of adding PEER data when making medication decisions.