Factors Associated with Findings of Published Trials of Drug–Drug Comparisons: Why Some Statins Appear More Efficacious than Others

Authors: Lisa Bero, Fieke Oostvogel, Peter Bacchetti, Kirby Lee

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040184

Abstract Summary

Industry-funded trials comparing statins to other drugs are significantly more likely to favor the sponsor’s product. Analysis of 192 trials found test drug company funding increased odds of favorable results 20-fold and favorable conclusions 35-fold. Most studies used only surrogate outcomes and had design weaknesses. This bias should inform clinical decision-making about drug selection.

Why Brain? 🧠

Industry-funded statin trials are biased toward the sponsor’s drug in head-to-head comparisons, with inadequate blinding and design flaws affecting results. This bias should inform drug selection decisions.

The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.