Clinical investigation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: penicillamine and vitamin E.
A double-blind controlled trial of penicillamine and vitamin E against placebo was conducted in 106 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nine dropped out of the study after being randomized. Patients were evaluated using an established protocol that measures muscle strength, joint contractures, functional grade, and pulmonary function. The trial lasted for 18 months. The power of the study to detect a 75% slowing of the disease was 0.95 at a P less than 0.05. No therapeutic effect was observed in the patients taking penicillamine and vitamin E as compared with those taking placebo.
Fenichel
G M
GM
Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37212.
Brooke
M H
MH
Griggs
R C
RC
Mendell
J R
JR
Miller
J P
JP
Moxley
R T
RT
Park
J H
JH
Provine
M A
MA
Florence
J
J
Kaiser
K K
KK
D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014810:Vitamin E; D010396:Penicillamine