The more recent trials (Bowden et al. [2000]; Calabrese et al. [2003]; Bowden et al. [2003]; Weisler et al. [2011]) overcome many of the methodological weaknesses of the older trials of lithium that have been described in the past such as lack of intention-to-treat analysis, masking of treatment allocation, size, diagnosis, and discontinuation artifacts (Burgess et al. [2001]).
In conclusion, our study shows a new approach for determining the allocation of diagnosis groups in a hospital blueprint in a country or certain region.
For example, the 2007 Breast Health Global Initiative has developed guidelines for radiation therapy [ 20], pathology [ 21], treatment resource allocation [ 22], diagnosis resource allocation [ 23] and early detection resource allocation [ 24] in breast cancer.
The report raised concerns regarding the link between resource allocation and the diagnosis of a particular category of disability.
One of five medical practitioners (blinded to treatment group allocation) made the diagnosis by taking a structured history and doing a standardised clinical examination, and one of four experienced nurses did skin prick tests.
As such, it is the primary driver for the allocation to a diagnosis-related group (DRG).
Laboratory investigators were blinded to sample allocation for prospective molecular diagnosis using a panel of molecular markers.
Each episode of arrhythmia was interpreted by an intensive care physician blinded to treatment allocation, who made the diagnosis of POAF.
These data confirm and extend previous data underlining the central role of the determination of ANAs in defining the diagnosis, subset allocation and prognosis of SSc patients.
In only four studies were the investigators blinded to treatment allocation when making the diagnosis of pneumonia [ 19, 21, 30, 31].
