“Natural history” clinical trials: An enduring contribution to modern medical practice

摘要: Publisher Summary Although many examples of clinical investigation can be found throughout the history medicine, randomized controlled trial (RCT) emerged in mid-20th century as most powerful and scientifically sound way to establish efficacy safety medicines. Looking future, advent genomics coupled with advances information technology promises enhance power RCTs generate medical knowledge about both existing new therapies. Today, gold standard by which merits drug therapy must measured, provide major scientific support for contemporary practice medicine. In other words, statistical principles on trials are based aid treating physician making daily decisions oft uncertain management or prevention disease. For large pharmaceutical companies, several hundred a plethora compounds underway worldwide at any given time, involving thousands investigators more patients. The generated through should have great influence design allowing accurate identification eligible