Doing randomized controlled trials in a developing country: some practical realities

BACKGROUND: Formal randomized controlled trial results are often reported.The difficulties of doing such trials are not. Developing countriesrepresent a new field in which trials can be undertaken. Inthis context even less is known about the practicalities involved. METHOD AND RESULTS: A randomized, double-blind, parallel study took significantlylonger than expected to complete and subject recruitment andparticipation fell short of expectations. Different recruitmentstrategies were used and these performed differently in termsof enrolling trialists. Subjects most frequently left the trialin its early stages. CONCLUSIONS: Possible explanations for these findings include the demographyof the country, cultural factors, and the existence of an establisheddoctor-patient relationship. Keywords. Developing countries, drug treatment hypertension, randomized controlled trials, United Arab Emirates.