title: A randomised controlled trial of ribavirin in Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever: ethical considerations.
abstract: The randomised controlled trial (RCT) constitutes a quantitative, comparative, controlled study of a particular treatment, and provides invaluable evidence regarding its pharmacotherapeutic efficacy. These studies are generally predicated upon the ethical principle of clinical equipoise. However, this may be insufficient to justify withholding treatment from a control group while assessing drug therapy in a potentially fatal disease. Thus, the criteria for randomisation, informed consent methodology and timing, and consideration of treatment options in such a scenario remain the province of medical ethics. This paper addresses the need for an RCT of ribavirin in the treatment of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever, and highlights underlying ethical concerns in light of the current medical, virological and ethical literature.
authors: Department of Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. arda@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Arda
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Aciduman
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D003225:Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; D006479:Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D009014:Morals; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000941:ethics*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin