Evidence-based psychopharmacology 1. Appraising a single therapeutic trial: what is the evidence for treating early Alzheimer's disease with donepezil?
Expertise in setting appropriate, answerable clinical questions, undertaking an accurate search of databases, and appraising the evidence found are all key elements to practising evidence-based medicine. Using the published evidence of the utility of donepezil in Alzheimer's disease as an example, I have attempted to illustrate the process of critical appraisal of a therapeutic intervention. The study appraised was well conducted and the results indicate that donepezil may benefit some patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Warner
J P
JP
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, St Charles Hospital, London, UK. j.warner@ic.ac.uk
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000077265:Donepezil; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011600:Psychopharmacology / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D007189:Indans; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000077265:Donepezil