Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A randomized, controlled, clinical study of thymosin alpha-1 versus interferon-alpha in [corrected] patients with chronic hepatitis B lacking HBeAg in China [corrected].
This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of thymosin-alphal (T-alpha1) with that of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in patients with chronic hepatitis B who were positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B envelope antibody (anti-HBe). ⋯ These results suggest that a 6-month course of T-alpha1 therapy is effective and safe in patients with anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B; T-alpha1 can reduce HBV replication in such patients. Compared with IFN-alpha, T-alpha1 is better tolerated and seems to induce a gradual and more sustained normalization of ALT and loss of HBV DNA. Combination therapy with T-alpha1 and IFN-alpha or nucleoside analogs for hepatitis B warrants further study.
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This study was designed to assess the diagnostic value and clinical benefits of lumbar zygapophyseal joint injections in patients with chronic lower back pain. ⋯ Lumbar zygapophyseal joint injections, as a useful diagnostic tool for facet joint syndrome, could also have useful palliative effects in the management of chronic lower back pain.
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Editorial Comment
The controversy over diagnosis and treatment of facet pain.