Where's the Bias?

Editorials15 June 1997Where's the Bias?Frank Davidoff, MD, EditorFrank Davidoff, MD, EditorEditorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-12-199706150-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail In July 1996, Annals published the results of a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial describing the effects of zinc lozenges on the symptoms of the common cold [1]. The lozenges, produced by the Quigley Corporation of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, seemed to reduce the duration of symptoms by about 40% compared with placebo, confirming the results of several previous studies but contrasting with the findings of others. As noted in the published article, the study was supported by funds from the researchers' institution; the Quigley Corporation supplied the active medication and the placebo.In the cover letter that accompanied the manuscript, the authors ...References1. Mossad SB, Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, Mason P. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study. Ann Intern Med. 1996; 125:81-8. Google Scholar2. Gelles J. Hope for a cure for colds sets off rush for lozenges. Philadelphia Inquirer. 19 December 1996:A1. Google Scholar3. Alpert B. Cure for the common cold? As Quigley shares soar, questions arise about medical studies, shady associates. Barron's 1997 January 13:18-9. Google Scholar4. Hamilton K. Reaching for the rock. Zinc is the hot cold remedy, and sales are nothing to sneeze at. Newsweek. 20 January 1997:74. Google Scholar5. Day K. Cold researcher made profit on Quigley shares. Washington Post. 31 January 1997:G1. Google Scholar6. Hilts P. Researcher made profit after study. New York Times. 1 February 1997:6. Google Scholar7. Shaw D. Drug researchers' investments are debated. Philadelphia Inquirer. 4 February 1997:C1. Google Scholar8. Who's minding the lab? Tufts researcher puts scientific bankbooks under the microscope. Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter. 1997; 15:4-5. Google Scholar9. Farr BM, Hayden FG, Gwaltney J Jr. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:738. Google Scholar10. Shumate MJ. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:738. Google Scholar11. Barton JC, Bertoli LF. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:738-9. Google Scholar12. Macknin ML, Mossad SB, Medendorp SV. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:739. Google Scholar13. Ingelfinger JA, Mosteller F, Thibodeau LA, Ware JA. Biostatistics in Clinical Medicine. 2d ed. New York: Macmillan; 1987. Google Scholar14. Sackett DL, Haynes RB, Guyatt GH, Tugwell P. Clinical Epidemiology: A Basic Science for Clinical Medicine. 2d ed. Boston: Little, Brown; 1991. Google Scholar15. Kahneman D, Slovic P, Tversky A. Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. New York: Cambridge Univ Pr; 1982. Google Scholar16. Rennie D. Thyroid storm [Editorial]. JAMA. 1997; 277:1238-43. Google Scholar17. Davidoff F. Annals now and then [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 1996; 124:67-8. Google Scholar18. Information for authors. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126(1):111-7. Google Scholar19. Angell M, Kassirer JP. Editorials and conflicts of interest [Editorial]. N Engl J Med. 1996; 335:1055-6. Google Scholar20. Avoid financial "correctness" [Editorial]. Nature. 1997; 385:469. Google Scholar21. Horton R. Conflicts of interest in clinical research: opprobrium or obsession? Lancet. 1997; 349:1112-3. Google Scholar22. Medicine and the Media: A Changing Relationship: October 13-14, 1994, Cantigny, Wheaton Illinois. Chicago: Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation; 1995:81. (Ethiel N, ed; The Cantigny Conference Series). Google Scholar23. Brophy JM, Joseph L. Placing trials in context using Bayesian analysis. GUSTO revisited by Reverend Bayes. JAMA. 1995; 273:871-5. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Editor PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByConflicts of InterestGuidelines International Network: Principles for Disclosure of Interests and Management of Conflicts in GuidelinesHolger J. Schünemann, MD, PhD, MSc, Lubna A. Al-Ansary, MBBS, MSc, Frode Forland, MD, DPH, Sonja Kersten, MSc, Jorma Komulainen, MD, PhD, Ina B. Kopp, MD, Fergus Macbeth, MA, DM, Susan M. Phillips, BSc (Hons), DPhil, Craig Robbins, MD, MPH, Philip van der Wees, PT, PhD, and Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA, for the Board of Trustees of the Guidelines International Network*Walking the Tightrope of Academia–Industry RelationshipsThe EditorsTime-dependent study entries and exposures in cohort studies can easily be sources of different and avoidable types of biasWhy Are (Some) Conflicts of Interest in Medicine So Uniquely Vexing?A Review of: "Jerome P. Kassirer. 2004. On the Take: How Medicine's Complicity with Big Business Can Endanger Your Health "Annals of Internal Medicine at Age 75: Reflections on the Past 25 YearsEdward J. Huth, MD and Kathleen Case, MSScience and industryConflict of interest policies in science and medical journals: Editorial practices and author disclosuresLa declaración del conflicto de intereses en las publicaciones científicas. ¿Tiempo para las luces y los taquígrafos en la trastienda de la investigación financiada por la industria?Troubling Issues with Research PublicationsPharmaceutical Industry Support of Psychiatric Research and Education: Ethical Issues and Proposed Remedies 15 June 1997Volume 126, Issue 12Page: 986-988KeywordsCommon coldConflicts of interestDisclosureEpidemiologyForecastingHealth services researchResearch reporting guidelinesScientistsTemperatureZinc Issue Published: 15 June 1997 CopyrightCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...