http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Meta-analysis of treatment efficacy in Raynaud's phenomenon
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of behavioral and drug treatment, specifically the current drug of choice nifedipine, in the treatment of patients suffering from the vasoconstrictive disorder of Raynaud's disease. Additionally, this study sought to determine if behavioral treatments are as effective, or more effective than nifedipine in the treatment of this disorder. In order to integrate the available data in a quantifiable way, a meta-analysis was used. A review of the literature and correspondence with experts in the field of Raynaud's research produced 18 behavioral studies and 19 nifedipine studies suitable for meta-analysis. Analysis of these 37 studies yielded 151 treatment effect sizes. Results indicate that both behavioral and nifedipine treatment result in significant Raynaud's phenomenon symptom relief. On most dependent variables, this analysis found that the treatment effects for behavioral treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon are significantly larger and longer lasting than those resulting from nifedipine treatment. Interestingly, patients report a greater sense of subjective improvement when using nifedipine, though this is expected to decline over an extended course of treatment. The results of this analysis provide a basis for practical recommendations in the treatment of this disorder.