Adverse events associated with unblinded, but not with blinded, statin therapy in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Lipid-Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA): a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial and its non-randomised non-blind extension phase

Abstract

We are all familiar with the ‘placebo’ effect, when the psychological anticipation of a ‘benefit’ of treatment is so strong that it adds to or even outweighs the actual physical benefits. Many doctors have even admitted to prescribing placebo tablets, or “sugar pills” to their patients, for example for pain relief in irritable bowel syndrome. Such practice is not illegal, but it does raise ethical concerns issues regarding lack of openness between doctor and patient.