Paul Wicks|Timothy E. Vaughan|Michael P. Massagli|James Heywood
Accelerated clinical discovery using self-reported patient data collected online and a patient-matching algorithm
PatientsLikeMe (United States)|PatientsLikeMe (United States)|PatientsLikeMe (United States)|PatientsLikeMe (United States)
experiences patients try drugs arent approved disease potential mined insights drug efficacy wicks et al rapidly monitored efficacy lithium treatment 149 patients amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using online data collection tool patientmatching algorithm patients serious diseases may experiment drugs received regulatory approval online patient communities structured around quantitative outcome data potential provide observational environment monitor drug usage consequences describe analysis data reported website patientslikeme patients amyotrophic lateral sclerosis als experimented lithium carbonate treatment reduce potential bias owing lack randomization developed algorithm match 149 treated patients multiple controls 447 total based progression disease course 12 months treatment found effect lithium disease progression although observational studies using unblinded data substitute doubleblind randomized control trials study reached conclusion subsequent randomized trials suggesting data reported patients internet may useful accelerating clinical discovery evaluating effectiveness drugs already use