Issues in the early termination of the aspirin component of the Physicians' Health Study. Data Monitoring Board of the Physicians' Health Study. |
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Authors: | J Cairns L Cohen T Colton D L DeMets D Deykin L Friedman P Greenwald G B Hutchison B Rosner |
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Affiliation: | Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA. |
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Abstract: | The Physicians' Health Study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prevention trial of 22,071 US physicians, using a factorial design to evaluate the role of aspirin in the prevention of cardiovascular mortality and beta carotene in the reduction of cancer incidence. After approximately 5 years of follow-up, the aspirin component was terminated, 3 years ahead of schedule. Several factors were considered in the decision to terminate, including a cardiovascular mortality rate markedly lower than expected in both aspirin and placebo subjects, precluding the evaluation of the primary aspirin hypothesis, and a highly significant (P < .00001) and impressive (44%) reduction in the risk of first myocardial infarction in the aspirin group. Issues in the decision to terminate are described in this report. |
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