Re: "Statins caused my kidney failure"

From: Herman Rubin (hrubin_at_odds.stat.purdue.edu)
Date: 07/11/04 

Date: 11 Jul 2004 14:49:06 -0500

In article <10f0ibdlkqejtc7@corp.supernews.com>,
Robert <Robert@hotmail.com> wrote:

>"George Conklin" <nilknoc@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > What do you
>mean no one noticed? How do you know about now?

>> We know now because 40-50 years after treatment began, the proper
>> research was done. I am surprised how gloriously ignorant you are.

>How did they know then about doing the proper research about that specific
>problem that we know now?
>That information was gained ONLY after 40-50 years of treatment experience
>AND our current understanding of cancer physiology. They didn't even have
>tumor markers then so how in the hell would they have done the proper
>research then? You totally don't have a clue. You are mixing up 50 years ago
>and today. Fifty years ago there was no HIV so why didn't they do the
>research concerning the bad side effects in HIV infected women as far as
>cervical and uterine cancer back then? Dahhh!!!!!!

You are quite correct; we cannot wait until the "correct
research" is being done. In fact, in too many cases, the
FDA waits too long, and it is acting under pressure. The
probabilistic analysis needed cannot be done except
approximately, but those indoctrinated in the classical
statistical religion are unable to understand this. Giving
me the information that something was significant at a
certain level, or the p-value, gives me some information,
but not the relevant information.

Here, we are given information about short term changes in
small death rates from cardiovascular problems, but without
considering all the relevant factors, and without adequate
consideration of other problems. One thing always mishandled
in medical studies is the question of those who drop out.

I have seen the highly quoted summary paper, and I am not
convinced. I will accept that lowering cholesterol to
quite low levels will decrease cardiac incidents for most
people in the short run. The rest is unclear. 

-- 
This address is for information only.  I do not claim that these views
are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
Herman Rubin, Department of Statistics, Purdue University
hrubin@stat.purdue.edu         Phone: (765)494-6054   FAX: (765)494-0558

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