Rosiglitazone is normally prescribed to control blood sugar in people with Type II diabetes, but it may also provide a benefit to heart patients. A study identified 95 people with Type II diabetes who were undergoing angioplasty to open coronary arteries. For six months after the angioplasty, about half the patients received daily oral doses of rosiglitazone, while the rest received a placebo. The groups were randomly assigned and the study was double-blind. Each patient was then tested to see if blood vessel blockage was greater or less than 50%. Since the goal is to limit the propensity of blood vessels to close again after angioplasty, an outcome of less than 50% is desirable. The results are shown inTable A.4.

(a) How many patients received the drug? How many received a placebo?

(b) What percent of all patients in the study had less than 50% blockage within 6 months of the angioplasty?

(c) Of the patients with greater than 50% blockage, what percent were on rosiglitazone?

(d) What percent of the patients given a placebo had less than 50% blockage?

(e) We wish to compare the effectiveness of rosiglitazone to a placebo at keeping blockage to less than 50%. Calculate the relevant percentages to make this comparison and discuss the results.

(f) Does rosiglitazone appear to be effective?

Transcribed Image Text:

Greater than 50% Less than 50% Rosiglitazone Placebo 42 27 21