Required reading

Angell, M. Read chapter 10.

Wikipedia, Vioxx entry. Pay particular attention to "VIGOR study," and "NEJM controversy."

Bombardier, C. et al. 2000. Comparison of upper gastrointestinal toxicity of rofecoxib and naproxen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. NEJM 343:1520-1528. Don't read this line by line. Just identify exactly where in the paper the issues that Curfman et al. (2005) arose.

Curfman, G.D. et al. 2005. Expression of Concern: Bombardier et al., 'Comparison of Upper Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Rofecoxib and Naproxen in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.' NEJM 343:1520-8.

Bombardier, C. et al. 2006. Response to expression of concern regarding VIGOR study. NEJM 354: 1196-1199.

Questions for class discussion

1. As always, come to class with interesting observations, comments and criticisms of Angell's chapters.

2. Exactly what error do Curfman et al. (2005) accuse Bombardier et al. (2000) of making? As specifically as possible, identify the text, table or figure in Bombardier et al. (2000) where the alleged error occurred.

3. How do Bombardier et al. (2006) defend their study?