4^th International Conference on Clinical Trials September 11-13, 2017 San Antonio, Texas, USA
(10 Plenary Forums - 1 Event)

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability. Policosanol has been effective in brain ischemia models. Clinical studies suggested that policosanol (20 mg/day) + standard aspirin (AS) therapy had benefits versus placebo +AS given for 6 months to patients with recent non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke. The objectives of this study investigate whether policosanol, added to AS therapy within 30 days of stroke onset, is better than placebo + AS for the long-term recovery of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke subjects. Methods: This study was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. Eighty patients with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRSs) 2 to 4 were randomized, within 30 days of onset, to policosanol/AS or placebo/AS, for 12 months. The primary outcome was mRSs reduction, the secondary outcome the increase of Barthel Index (BI). Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increase were collateral outcomes. Results: 80 patients (mean age: 69 years) were randomized. Policosanol/AS decreased significantly mean mRSs from the first interim check-up (1.5 months) (p0.0001 vs. placebo/AS). The treatment effect did not wear off, even improved, after long-term therapy (p<0.0001 versus placebo/AS). More policosanol/AS (35/40, 87.5%) than placebo/AS (0/30, 0.0%) were achieved mRSs≤1 (p0.0001). Policosanol/AS increased significantly BI, lowered LDL-C and increased HDL-C versus placebo/AS, treatments were well tolerated. There were 12 withdrawals three due to fatal adverse events all happened in the placebo/AS groups. Conclusions: Long-term (12 months) administration of policosanol/AS given after suffering non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke was shown to be better than placebo/AS in improving functional outcomes at 3 and 12 months when used among patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke of moderate severity.

Purpose: The essence of this study is to illustrate the trends of breast cancer among women living in different regions of Ethiopia and to offer suggestions about some measures to put in place to control the disease and reduce its morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were collected from October 2014 to April 2015. Data on new cases of breast cancer registered annually at the cancer registry of the Tikur Anbessa Specialize Hospital (TASH) over a period of sixteen years were obtained retrospectively and analysed using MS office and SPSS Version 20. Results: There were 3460 new cases of breast cancer registered at the cancer registry during the16-year period. The peak age of incidence was the 4th and 5th decade. Most of the cases were found in Addis Ababa, where the hospital is situated. An increase in trend of breast cancer case was observed in the hospital. Conclusion: Non-declining incidence of breast cancer in this study indicates; the awareness of people to be diagnosed is improved and more cancerous patients are there in the country, and inadequate or ineffective control measure to stem its morbidity due to diversion of the health care system’s attention to HIV/AIDS and malaria. Therefore, there is the need to step up activities through NGOs, screening programs and trainings such as mammography, clinical and self- examination, to control the upward trends of breast cancer in the country. In addition, it will be important to open breast cancer diagnosing centre in each region of the country in order to know the number of cases, which will be affected by being undiagnosed due to farness to the diagnosing centre. Additional researches on breast cancer post treatment survival rate, on risk factors assessment, patient quality of life and others are recommended in future.

The present study was conducted to investigate interaction of patient’s response, context, symptoms, illness and the clinical skill vis a vis better treatment of liver enlargement. Objective of this research study was to investigate the potential of intensive medical intervention with plant extracts (Echinops echinatus) and placebo to treat liver enlargement. This is randomized control clinical trial in primary care with an open intervention. Patients were divided into test and placebo group. Plant extracts (Echinops echinatus) was given to 114 patients with liver enlargement. Placebo was given to 110 patients with liver enlargement. Data recorded by physician related to these diseases showed significant difference between plants extracts treated group and placebo group (p<0.05) and no side effects were reported in both groups. Overall clinical success showed that plant under study is effective in the treatment of liver enlargement.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is the major complication and leading cause of death among patients with diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis and complications of diabetes. Policosanol is a mixture of primary aliphatic alcohols purified from sugar cane wax. The objective of this randomized double-blinded and placebo-controlled pilot study was to investigate the effect of policosanol treatment on lipid profile and plasma oxidative variables in diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: 30 diabetic patients of both sexes, aged 50 to 70 years were enrolled in the study. 15 patients were treated with policosanol (10 mg/day) and 15 with placebo for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was to significant reduced low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) values. Plasma oxidative markers were secondary variables. Results: Baseline characteristics were well matched in both groups. After 12 weeks policosanol produced significant reductions of LDL-C and total cholesterol, and increase high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In addition, serum malondialdehyde significantly decreased and the total antioxidant capacity of the plasma increased. There were no significant changes in any of the variables in the placebo group. Treatments were safe and well tolerated. No patient withdrew from the study. Conclusions: Policosanol treatment favorably modified lipid profile and plasma oxidative variables in diabetic patients. Further studies should expand more data on the effects of policosanol treatment in diabetic patients.