The placebo effect

[John2038]

In almost all HIV studies, it almost always happen that a placebo is giving results as well.

Example:
http://www.thebody.com/content/treat/art43416.html

After 24 weeks, 77% of people taking Isentress had HIV levels below 400 copies/mL, compared to 41-43% of people taking the placebo. The same was seen with a stricter measure -- HIV levels below 50 copies/mL -- with around 60% for people taking Isentress vs. 33-36% for people taking the placebo.


1) Maybe a doctor can prescribe a placebo instead of a real drug, and continue to prescribe it as long as it give results ?
2) This placebo effect is demonstrating the power of the mind against the disease.

[whizzer]

It is unethical for a doctor to prescribe a placebo without telling you that you may be taking a placebo, nor is it within the standard of care to do so.  People in studies are told there is a possibility that they may receive placebo and not the drug being tested.

[fearless]

John,

You seem to have neglected the fact that, "Everyone in the study also took a combination of additional HIV drugs, selected by resistance testing, which is called optimized background therapy (OBT)." So, they were either on Isentress plus optimized background therapy, or a placebo plus optimized background therapy.

The placebo was not giving the results, it was the result of the other HIV drugs they were taking.

[John2038]

fearless

damn.. you right !
I should go sleep..