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The effect of placebo adherence on reducing cardiovascular mortality: a meta-analysis

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Clinical Research in Cardiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

We aim to demonstrate the effect of placebo adherence on reducing CV mortality.

Backgrounds

Good adherence, whether to drug or placebo treatment, is associated with lower CV mortality. However, current evidence for the positive effect of placebo adherence on reducing CV mortality is relatively weak.

Methods

We conducted a fixed-effect meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effect of placebo adherence on reducing CV mortality. We made a comparison between good placebo adherence and poor drug adherence.

Results

Compared with poor adherence to drug treatment, good adherence to placebo treatment was associated with lower CV mortality (OR = 0.68, 95 % CI 0.60–0.77).

Conclusion

Good adherence to placebo has a positive effect on reducing CV mortality. The effect of adherence on reducing CV mortality may be independent of the drug effect.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Wu Lu Mu Qi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China

    Zhao Yue, Yang Ai-fang, Tang Feng-min, Chen Li & Wang Bin

  2. Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Management, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Cheng Cai

Authors
  1. Zhao Yue
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  2. Cheng Cai
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  3. Yang Ai-fang
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  4. Tang Feng-min
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  5. Chen Li
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  6. Wang Bin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wang Bin.

Appendices

Appendix 1

See Table 2.

Appendix 2

See Table 3.

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Yue, Z., Cai, C., Ai-fang, Y. et al. The effect of placebo adherence on reducing cardiovascular mortality: a meta-analysis. Clin Res Cardiol 103, 229–235 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0642-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0642-6

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