Background Recruitment plays a vital role in conducting randomized control trials (RCTs). Challenges and failure of proper recruitment lead to early termination of trials. Monetary incentives have been suggested as a potential solution to these challenges. Therefore, we aimed to do a systematic review and analysis to evaluate the effect of incentives on the number of participants willing to consent to and participate in RCTs. Methods Electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to September 23rd, 2021, using the following keywords: payments, incentive, response, participation, enrollment, randomized, randomization, and RCT. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the quality of the included trials. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). All analyses were done with the random-effects model. We used Revman software to perform the analysis. Results Six RCTs with 6,253 Participants met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis showed significant improvement in response rate (RR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.55; P = 0.02) and consent rates (RR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.85; P = 0.006) when an incentive payment was offered to participants. Even a small amount of incentive showed significant improvement in both consent (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73; P = 0.03) and response rates (RR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.47; P = 0.004). Conclusion In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrated statistically significant increases in the rate of consent and responses from participants when offered even small monetary value incentives. These findings suggest that incentives may be used to reduce the rate of recruitment failure and subsequent study termination. However, further RCTs are needed to establish a critical threshold beyond which incentive amount does not alter response rates further and the types of RCTs in which financial incentives are likely to be effective.
As with past illnesses, an approach has been taken to vaccinate the population and halt the spread of COVID-19. On 13 April 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration called for a halt in the administration of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine due to reports of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia being associated with vaccination. We present the case of a 43-year-old woman with a history of dyslipidaemia, depression, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and obesity presenting with dyspnoea, headache and light headedness of 3 days’ duration. Ten days prior, she had received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. She was found to have thrombocytopenia, elevated D-dimers, pulmonary emboli and presented 1 day after discharge with an arterial clot despite being on apixaban. Six other US-based cases of venous thrombotic events are being reviewed at present. Patients should be informed of the possibility of such events to provide informed consent.
E-cigarette-associated lung injury (EVALI) is related to the usage of e-cigarettes or a related product (e.g., “vaping” or “dabbing”). It presents mainly with constitutional, respiratory, or gastrointestinal symptoms, and EVALI is currently a diagnosis of exclusion. EVALI patients are more prone to rapid clinical decline requiring close monitoring, with some requiring intensive care unit (ICU) level of care or intubation. Mortality occurs in rare cases. We are presenting an interesting case of a male in his mid-60s who presented to the emergency department with worsening dyspnea and cough for two weeks, preceded by a one-week history of fever, nausea, and diarrhea. He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia based on computed tomography (CT) findings. Subsequent CT of the chest showed worsening bilateral diffuse ground-glass opacities (GGOs) correlating with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Laboratory workup showed leukocytosis and lactic acidosis. The rest of the laboratory workup was normal. The patient was intubated due to ARDS, developed multiorgan failure, and passed away subsequently.
There have been increasing reports of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI), and the evolving literature demonstrates that the solvents used to dissolve flavors, including vitamin E, may be responsible, at least in part, for the injuries associated with this form of smoking. We present the case of a 26-year-old, otherwise healthy, African American male with a history of heavy use-cigarette use who presented with pleuritic chest pain. He was found to be septic and developed a rapidly accumulating pleural effusion with loculations during his hospitalization. He eventually underwent a thoracotomy due to his deteriorating respiratory status. This case highlights the importance of physician awareness regarding the growing evidence base suggesting that electronic cigarettes and vaporized tobacco products are not as safe as they have been perceived to be. Physicians should screen for and advise patients regarding the risks associated with the use of such products.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.