Medical Breakthrough or Junk Science?

"Strokes More Likely to Happen on Mondays"

"Angry Young Males At Highest Risk of Early Death"

"Antioxidants Don't Work, Say Researchers"

Now the facts. Hmm. Not sure? Well, that may be the trouble with so many medical studies flooding newspapers, television shows and radio airwaves. How do you know which is something you should be concerned about and which isn't?

That's tough to decide. Most often, you're on your own to figure out what to do with the information you are hearing. Your best bet is to talk to your health care provider, who is up on the latest research and knows what's junk science, what's only a working theory and what's compelling evidence that should dictate your treatment and behavior.

You must ask the right questions.

1. What kind of study is it?
   • Animal studies are usually among the first tests for a new drug. These studies are not the same as testing in humans, who have different immune systems, metabolism and other differences.
   • Epidemiological studies consider samples of populations of people. These tend to be observational, meaning the scientists don't try to change a person's life or treatments. Researchers use these to see how certain health conditions match up with how people behave. These types of studies can include questionnaires, which rely on the participants' memories. But scientists have less control over these studies and can't always tell what might account for differences. Epidemiological studies show associations, but not a cause-and-effect relationship.
   • Meta-analysis studies look at a large number of studies that other researchers have already done. It's basically a summary report.
   • Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials are considered the gold standard in research. For a double-blind study involving a new drug, neither the researcher nor the person volunteering for the study knows if the pill is real or a placebo. A placebo is a pill without medication.

2. How large was the study? Did it just look at 12 people or 10,000 people? Size matters because it involves a broader scope of people.

3. What do the statistics mean? Remember that the statistics used in the study apply to the test group only - not the general population. A report may say a drug decreased the risk of hot flashes by 40 percent and people may mistakenly think that anyone taking the drug is 40 percent less likely to get hot flashes. The 40 percent figure, however, applies to the two groups in the study - not all women.

4. Was the study published and where did it appear? Studies published in journals like the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association are peer-reviewed, meaning they are examined closely by doctors and researchers for any flaws or problems.

5. How much research is there on this topic? One study doesn't say a lot. Scientists need to repeat the studies many times and in different formats before they can recommend a certain type of treatment.

Read between the lines and do your homework. Your doctor can be your guide and help you navigate through the flood of information.

Related Articles Clinical Trials Making the Most of Your Doctor Visits Taking Charge to Avoid Mistakes Own Your Own Health

External Source National Institutes of Health

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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