This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

“To date we have studied 35 people with MS and 35 healthy control subjects, so we are just over one third of the way towards completion,” reports A/Prof Chambers. “Preliminary blinded analysis of the whole 70 cases, using the criteria proposed by Zamboni, indicates that CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) is less prevalent than expected.” In fact, preliminary analysis has revealed that no subjects so far studied have CCSVI according to the criteria proposed by Zamboni. “Since our MS cohort are in the early stages of disease, this would imply that if CCSVI does occur in MS, it does not have a causal role, and it may only develop in more advanced MS,” explains A/Prof Chambers. “It is possible that CCSVI is mainly observed in advanced MS. This is supported by our observations in out-of-trial advanced MS patients.”

The investigators also plan to present these findings at ECTRIMS (Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis) in Amsterdam, October 2011.

To date we have studied 35 people with MS and 35 healthy control subjects, so we are just over one third of the way towards completion,” reports A/Prof Chambers. “Preliminary blinded analysis of the whole 70 cases, using the criteria proposed by Zamboni, indicates that CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) is less prevalent than expected.” In fact, preliminary analysis has revealed that no subjects so far studied have CCSVI according to the criteria proposed by Zamboni. “Since our MS cohort are in the early stages of disease, this would imply that if CCSVI does occur in MS, it does not have a causal role, and it may only develop in more advanced MS,” explains A/Prof Chambers. “It is possible that CCSVI is mainly observed in advanced MS. This is supported by our observations in out-of-trial advanced MS patients.”

Analysis of preliminary results, before the completion of a study, must always be interpreted with caution and final conclusions can only be drawn at study completion. The investigators will continue to recruit their planned sample size of 100 patients and control pairs. Discussions with international investigators, including Zamboni, at the recent

Australasian Phlebology College meeting in Melbourne indicated that others use broader ultrasound criteria for diagnosing CCSVI. However, as yet there are no standardised validated criteria.

“Our data set includes a number of ultrasound parameters not included in the Zamboni definitions,” explains A/Prof Chambers. “We intend to apply advanced statistical methods to determine which if any ultrasound variables are more prevalent in MS. Our results in healthy controls will also provide the best available venous ultrasound data to give a ‘normal range’ for comparison.”

It is not just the analysis that is flawed. This fool has just provided feedback to his sonographer(s) that they failed to find CCSVI in any subjects. To avoid a learning effect you have to keep your sonographers blinded to the end of the study. The sonographers are now going to be thinking 'did we do something wrong?' and potentially change their behaviour in subsequent testing.

Of course Chambers can say he instructed them to carry on testing in the same way but he cannot now say they they were totally blinded to their results.

They seem to have 0% in all subjects (pwMS and healthy)??

"....that no subjects so far studied have CCSVI according to the criteria proposed by Zamboni...."

Their analysis seems to be flawed.

R.

Discussions with international investigators, including Zamboni, at the recent Australasian Phlebology College meeting in Melbourne indicated that others use broader ultrasound criteria for diagnosing CCSVI.

With a value of 0% they state, that the veins in the neck are always perfect.

wonderful . Now their research methods and techniques can be evaluated . Trained by Dr. Dope ? Did I spell that right ? Doeppe ?
How to you pronounce that ..... Dopey ?

Be careful when you step into the spotlight ......... you better be able to sing and dance ..........



Mr.Success

But not to continue to make snide comments or insult. This would not be tolerated on the antibiotics or Revimmune forum. Nor should it be tolerated here.
cheer