Hashkes 2012.
Methods | RCT (single participant alternating treatment), treated as cross‐over design for the first 2 phases (no washout period). Location: USA. Carried out from October 2008 until January 2011. Randomization occurred at the beginning of the study to 1 of the 4 treatment sequences: rilonacept‐placebo‐rilonacept‐placebo, placebo‐rilonacept‐placebo‐rilonacept, rilonacept‐placebo‐placebo‐rilonacept, placebo‐rilonacept‐rilonacept‐placebo. So, we treat the first 2 courses as a cross‐over study. |
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Participants | 14 people with FMF diagnosed according to the Tel‐Hashomer clinical criteria, with at least 1 mutation on the MEFV gene, suffered an estimated mean of 1 or more attacks per month for 3 months before screening and 1 or more attacks per month during screening despite receiving adequate colchicine treatment. Age: 4 ‐ 47 years. Gender: 6 females, 8 males. |
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Interventions | Intervention: rilonacept 2.2 mg/kg/week subcutaneous injection (maximum, 160 mg/week) for 3 months Control: matching placebo. Administration: intervention for 3 months, then cross‐over for the other 3 courses, a total of 12 months. No washout period between each 2 treatment phase, nor assessment of carryover effect. | |
Outcomes |
Outcomes measured at 12 months. |
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Notes |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: "Blocked randomization, using computer‐generated code". |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: "Blocked randomization not stratified by center was done at the study coordination center by the unblinded statistician using a computer‐generated code to ensure equal allocation of participants into treatment group sequences. After confirming eligibility, the unblinded statistician called the site pharmacist with the participant number and treatment assignments". |
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Low risk | Quote: "Double‐blind", "Rilonacept and placebo vials were labelled by the pharmacist and were identical in appearance, including after preparation". |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Double blind; however, we do not know whether outcome assessment was blinded. |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Low risk | In the first treatment course: 1 participant in the control group lost to follow‐up. In the whole treatment process: 3 participants withdrew: lost to follow‐up (n = 1); travel difficulties (n = 1); lack of efficacy (n = 1). ITT analysis was performed. |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | No selective reporting bias according to the protocol. |
Other bias | Low risk | No other source of bias identified. |