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Griessbach A, Schönenberger CM, Taji Heravi A, Gloy V, Agarwal A, Hallenberger TJ, Schandelmaier S, Janiaud P, Amstutz A, Covino M, Mall D, Speich B, Briel M. Characteristics, Progression, and Output of Randomized Platform Trials: A Systematic Review. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e243109. [PMID: 38506807 PMCID: PMC10955344 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Platform trials have become increasingly common, and evidence is needed to determine how this trial design is actually applied in current research practice. Objective To determine the characteristics, progression, and output of randomized platform trials. Evidence Review In this systematic review of randomized platform trials, Medline, Embase, Scopus, trial registries, gray literature, and preprint servers were searched, and citation tracking was performed in July 2022. Investigators were contacted in February 2023 to confirm data accuracy and to provide updated information on the status of platform trial arms. Randomized platform trials were eligible if they explicitly planned to add or drop arms. Data were extracted in duplicate from protocols, publications, websites, and registry entries. For each platform trial, design features such as the use of a common control arm, use of nonconcurrent control data, statistical framework, adjustment for multiplicity, and use of additional adaptive design features were collected. Progression and output of each platform trial were determined by the recruitment status of individual arms, the number of arms added or dropped, and the availability of results for each intervention arm. Findings The search identified 127 randomized platform trials with a total of 823 arms; most trials were conducted in the field of oncology (57 [44.9%]) and COVID-19 (45 [35.4%]). After a more than twofold increase in the initiation of new platform trials at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of platform trials has since declined. Platform trial features were often not reported (not reported: nonconcurrent control, 61 of 127 [48.0%]; multiplicity adjustment for arms, 98 of 127 [77.2%]; statistical framework, 37 of 127 [29.1%]). Adaptive design features were only used by half the studies (63 of 127 [49.6%]). Results were available for 65.2% of closed arms (230 of 353). Premature closure of platform trial arms due to recruitment problems was infrequent (5 of 353 [1.4%]). Conclusions and Relevance This systematic review found that platform trials were initiated most frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic and declined thereafter. The reporting of platform features and the availability of results were insufficient. Premature arm closure for poor recruitment was rare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Griessbach
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof Manuel Schönenberger
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viktoria Gloy
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arnav Agarwal
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Stefan Schandelmaier
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Perrine Janiaud
- Pragmatic Evidence Lab, Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Covino
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Mall
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Speich
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Griessbach A, Chammartin F, Abela IA, Amico P, Stoeckle MP, Eichenberger AL, Hasse B, Braun DL, Schuurmans MM, Müller TF, Tamm M, Audigé A, Mueller NJ, Rauch A, Günthard HF, Koller MT, Trkola A, Epp S, Amstutz A, Schönenberger CM, Taji Heravi A, Papadimitriou-Olivgeris M, Casutt A, Manuel O, Kusejko K, Bucher HC, Briel M, Speich B. Antibody Response After the Third SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients and People Living With HIV (COVERALL-2). Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad536. [PMID: 38023564 PMCID: PMC10655940 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After basic immunization with 2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses, only a small proportion of patients who are severely immunocompromised generate a sufficient antibody response. Hence, we assessed the additional benefit of a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with different levels of immunosuppression. Methods In this observational extension of the COVERALL trial (Corona Vaccine Trial Platform), we recruited patients from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (ie, lung and kidney transplant recipients). We collected blood samples before and 8 weeks after the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with either mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech). The primary outcome was the proportion of participants showing an antibody response (Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S test; threshold ≥100 U/mL) 8 weeks after the third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We also compared the proportion of patients who reached the primary outcome from basic immunization (the first and second vaccines) to the third vaccination. Results Nearly all participants (97.2% [95% CI, 95.9%-98.6%], 564/580) had an antibody response. This response was comparable between mRNA-1273 (96.1% [95% CI, 93.7%-98.6%], 245/255) and BNT162b2 (98.2% [95% CI, 96.7%-99.6%], 319/325). Stratification by cohort showed that 99.8% (502/503) of people living with HIV and 80.5% (62/77) of recipients of solid organ transplants achieved the primary endpoint. The proportion of patients with an antibody response in solid organ transplant recipients improved from the second vaccination (22.7%, 15/66) to the third (80.5%, 62/77). Conclusions People living with HIV had a high antibody response. The third vaccine increased the proportion of solid organ transplant recipients with an antibody response. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04805125 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Griessbach
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frédérique Chammartin
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene A Abela
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Amico
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel P Stoeckle
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna L Eichenberger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Hasse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique L Braun
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Macé M Schuurmans
- Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas F Müller
- Nephrology Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Audigé
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas J Mueller
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andri Rauch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Huldrych F Günthard
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael T Koller
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Transplant Cohort Study, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Trkola
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Selina Epp
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof M Schönenberger
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Alessio Casutt
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oriol Manuel
- Infectious Diseases Service and Transplantation Center, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Kusejko
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heiner C Bucher
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benjamin Speich
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Griessbach A, Chammartin F, Abela IA, Amico P, Stoeckle MP, Eichenberger AL, Hasse B, Braun DL, Schuurmans MM, Müller TF, Tamm M, Audigé A, Mueller NJ, Rauch A, Günthard HF, Koller MT, Trkola A, Epp S, Amstutz A, Schönenberger CM, Taji Heravi A, Kusejko K, Bucher HC, Briel M, Speich B. Antibody response after third vaccination with mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2: Extension of a randomised controlled SARS-CoV-2 non-inferiority vaccine trial in patients with different levels of immunosuppression (COVERALL-2). Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad150. [PMID: 37035486 PMCID: PMC10077822 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Extension of the COVERALL randomised trial showed non-inferiority in antibody response of the third dose of Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine (95.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.9-98.7%) compared to Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine (98.1%; 95% CI: 95.9-100.0%) in individuals with different levels of immunosuppression (difference: -2.8%; 95% CI: -6.8-1.3%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Griessbach
- Correspondence: Alexandra Griessbach, MSc, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Totengässlein 3 CH-4051, Basel, Switzerland (); Benjamin Speich, PhD, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Totengässlein 3 CH-4051, Basel, Switzerland ()
| | - Frédérique Chammartin
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Irene A Abela
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Amico
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel P Stoeckle
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna L Eichenberger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Hasse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique L Braun
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Macé M Schuurmans
- Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas F Müller
- Nephrology Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Clinic of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Audigé
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas J Mueller
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andri Rauch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Huldrych F Günthard
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael T Koller
- Clinic for Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Trkola
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Selina Epp
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof M Schönenberger
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Kusejko
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heiner C Bucher
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Benjamin Speich
- Correspondence: Alexandra Griessbach, MSc, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Totengässlein 3 CH-4051, Basel, Switzerland (); Benjamin Speich, PhD, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Totengässlein 3 CH-4051, Basel, Switzerland ()
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Amstutz A, Speich B, Mentré F, Rueegg CS, Belhadi D, Assoumou L, Burdet C, Murthy S, Dodd LE, Wang Y, Tikkinen KAO, Ader F, Hites M, Bouscambert M, Trabaud MA, Fralick M, Lee TC, Pinto R, Barratt-Due A, Lund-Johansen F, Müller F, Nevalainen OPO, Cao B, Bonnett T, Griessbach A, Taji Heravi A, Schönenberger C, Janiaud P, Werlen L, Aghlmandi S, Schandelmaier S, Yazdanpanah Y, Costagliola D, Olsen IC, Briel M. Effects of remdesivir in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet Respir Med 2023; 11:453-464. [PMID: 36828006 PMCID: PMC10156140 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(22)00528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interpretation of the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of remdesivir in patients treated in hospital for COVID-19 is conflicting. We aimed to assess the benefits and harms of remdesivir compared with placebo or usual care in these patients, and whether treatment effects differed between prespecified patient subgroups. METHODS For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane COVID-19 trial registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and preprint servers from Jan 1, 2020, until April 11, 2022, for RCTs of remdesivir in adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and contacted the authors of eligible trials to request individual patient data. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at day 28 after randomisation. We used multivariable hierarchical regression-adjusting for respiratory support, age, and enrollment period-to investigate effect modifiers. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021257134. FINDINGS Our search identified 857 records, yielding nine RCTs eligible for inclusion. Of these nine eligible RCTs, individual data were provided for eight, covering 10 480 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 (99% of such patients included in such RCTs worldwide) recruited between Feb 6, 2020, and April 1, 2021. Within 28 days of randomisation, 662 (12·5%) of 5317 patients assigned to remdesivir and 706 (14·1%) of 5005 patients assigned to no remdesivir died (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0·88, 95% CI 0·78-1·00, p=0·045). We found evidence for a credible subgroup effect according to respiratory support at baseline (pinteraction=0·019). Of patients who were ventilated-including those who received high-flow oxygen-253 (30·0%) of 844 patients assigned to remdesivir died compared with 241 (28·5%) of 846 patients assigned to no remdesivir (aOR 1·10 [0·88-1·38]; low-certainty evidence). Of patients who received no oxygen or low-flow oxygen, 409 (9·1%) of 4473 patients assigned to remdesivir died compared with 465 (11·2%) of 4159 patients assigned to no remdesivir (0·80 [0·70-0·93]; high-certainty evidence). No credible subgroup effect was found for time to start of remdesivir after symptom onset, age, presence of comorbidities, enrolment period, or corticosteroid use. Remdesivir did not increase the frequency of severe or serious adverse events. INTERPRETATION This individual patient data meta-analysis showed that remdesivir reduced mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 who required no or conventional oxygen support, but was underpowered to evaluate patients who were ventilated when receiving remdesivir. The effect size of remdesivir in patients with more respiratory support or acquired immunity and the cost-effectiveness of remdesivir remain to be further elucidated. FUNDING EU-RESPONSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Amstutz
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Speich
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - France Mentré
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, Paris, France; Département d'Épidémiologie, Biostatistique et Recherche Clinique, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Corina Silvia Rueegg
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Drifa Belhadi
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, Paris, France; Département d'Épidémiologie, Biostatistique et Recherche Clinique, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Lambert Assoumou
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, Paris, France
| | - Charles Burdet
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, Paris, France; Département d'Épidémiologie, Biostatistique et Recherche Clinique, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Srinivas Murthy
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lori Elizabeth Dodd
- Clinical Trials Research Section, Biostatistics Research Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Yeming Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Kari A O Tikkinen
- Department of Urology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Surgery, South Karelian Central Hospital, Lappeenranta, Finland
| | - Florence Ader
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Legiopath, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm 1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Univ Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Maya Hites
- Cliniques Universitaires de Bruxelles Hôpital Érasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Clinique des Maladies Infectieuses, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maude Bouscambert
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Institut des Agents Infectieux de Lyon, Centre National de Référence des Virus Respiratoires France Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Mary Anne Trabaud
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Institut des Agents Infectieux de Lyon, Centre National de Référence des Virus Respiratoires France Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Mike Fralick
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Todd C Lee
- Clinical Practice Assessment Unit, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ruxandra Pinto
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andreas Barratt-Due
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fridtjof Lund-Johansen
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fredrik Müller
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Bin Cao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Tyler Bonnett
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra Griessbach
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof Schönenberger
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Perrine Janiaud
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Werlen
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Soheila Aghlmandi
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schandelmaier
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yazdan Yazdanpanah
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, Paris, France; Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Costagliola
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut Pierre-Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | | | - Matthias Briel
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Health Research Methodology, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Klatte K, Sluka C, Gloy V, Heravi AT, Schönenberger C, Jones N, Brunnschweiler E, Pauli-Magnus C, Briel M. Towards full clinical trial registration and results publication: longitudinal meta-research study in Northwestern and Central Switzerland. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:27. [PMID: 36707766 PMCID: PMC9880919 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01840-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The registration of clinical trials is required by law in Switzerland. We investigated (1) the proportion of registered and prospectively registered clinical trials, (2) the availability of results for ethically approved trial protocols, (3) factors associated with increased registration, and (4) reasons for non-registration. DESIGN AND SETTING We included all clinical trials with mandatory prospective registration, which were approved by the ethics committee of Northwestern and Central Switzerland between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. METHODS We extracted relevant trial characteristics from the Swiss Business Administration System for Ethics Committees and systematically searched the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and primary trial registries for corresponding registry entries. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between trial characteristics and registration. We qualitatively assessed reasons for non-registration of trials through an email questionnaire for trial investigators. RESULTS Of 473 included clinical trials, 432 (91%) were registered at all and 326 (69%) were prospectively registered. While the percentages of registration and prospective registration of investigator-sponsored trials increased from 85 to 93% and from 59 to 70% over 5 years, respectively, industry-sponsored trials consistently remained at a high level of prospective registration (92 to 100%). Trials with multiple centres, higher risk category, or methodological support from the local clinical trials unit were independently associated with increased registration rates. Of 103 clinical trials completed before August 2020, results were available for 70% of industry-sponsored trials and 45% of investigator-sponsored trials as peer-reviewed journal publications or in trial registries. Most common reasons for non-registration provided by investigators were lack of time or resources (53%), lack of knowledge (22%), and lack of reminders by the ethics committee (36%). CONCLUSIONS In Northwestern and Central Switzerland about 10% of clinical trials remained unregistered despite the obligation by law. More support for investigators and stricter enforcement by regulators are needed to improve the transparency of investigator-sponsored trials in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Klatte
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland
| | - Constantin Sluka
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland
| | - Viktoria Gloy
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland
| | - Christof Schönenberger
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland
| | - Nienke Jones
- Ethics Committee Northwest and Central Switzerland, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Christiane Pauli-Magnus
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- grid.410567.1Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, CH Switzerland ,grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario Canada
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Quiroga Gutierrez AC, Lindegger DJ, Taji Heravi A, Stojanov T, Sykora M, Elayan S, Mooney SJ, Naslund JA, Fadda M, Gruebner O. Reproducibility and Scientific Integrity of Big Data Research in Urban Public Health and Digital Epidemiology: A Call to Action. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1473. [PMID: 36674225 PMCID: PMC9861515 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of big data science presents a unique opportunity to improve public-health research practices. Because working with big data is inherently complex, big data research must be clear and transparent to avoid reproducibility issues and positively impact population health. Timely implementation of solution-focused approaches is critical as new data sources and methods take root in public-health research, including urban public health and digital epidemiology. This commentary highlights methodological and analytic approaches that can reduce research waste and improve the reproducibility and replicability of big data research in public health. The recommendations described in this commentary, including a focus on practices, publication norms, and education, are neither exhaustive nor unique to big data, but, nonetheless, implementing them can broadly improve public-health research. Clearly defined and openly shared guidelines will not only improve the quality of current research practices but also initiate change at multiple levels: the individual level, the institutional level, and the international level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ala Taji Heravi
- CLEAR Methods Center, Department of Clinical Research, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Stojanov
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Sykora
- School of Business and Economics, Centre for Information Management, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Suzanne Elayan
- School of Business and Economics, Centre for Information Management, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Stephen J. Mooney
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - John A. Naslund
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marta Fadda
- Institute of Public Health, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Gruebner
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Gryaznov D, von Niederhäusern B, Speich B, Kasenda B, Ojeda-Ruiz E, Blümle A, Schandelmaier S, Mertz D, Odutayo A, Tomonaga Y, Amstutz A, Pauli-Magnus C, Gloy V, Lohner S, Bischoff K, Wollmann K, Rehner L, Meerpohl JJ, Nordmann A, Klatte K, Ghosh N, Taji Heravi A, Wong J, Chow N, Hong P, McCord-De Iaco KA, Sricharoenchai S, Busse JW, Agarwal A, Saccilotto R, Schwenkglenks M, Moffa G, Hemkens L, Hopewell S, Von Elm E, Briel M. Reporting quality of clinical trial protocols: a repeated cross-sectional study about the Adherence to SPIrit Recommendations in Switzerland, CAnada and GErmany (ASPIRE-SCAGE). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053417. [PMID: 35613804 PMCID: PMC9125701 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Comprehensive protocols are key for the planning and conduct of randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Evidence of low reporting quality of RCT protocols led to the publication of the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist in 2013. We aimed to examine the quality of reporting of RCT protocols from three countries before and after the publication of the SPIRIT checklist. DESIGN Repeated cross sectional study. SETTING Swiss, German and Canadian research ethics committees (RECs). PARTICIPANTS RCT protocols approved by RECs in 2012 (n=257) and 2016 (n=292). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes were the proportion of reported SPIRIT items per protocol and the proportion of trial protocols reporting individual SPIRIT items. We compared these outcomes in protocols approved in 2012 and 2016, and built regression models to explore factors associated with adherence to SPIRIT. For each protocol, we also extracted information on general trial characteristics and assessed whether individual SPIRIT items were reported RESULTS: The median proportion of reported SPIRIT items among RCT protocols showed a non-significant increase from 72% (IQR, 63%-79%) in 2012 to 77% (IQR, 68%-82%) in 2016. However, in a preplanned subgroup analysis, we detected a significant improvement in investigator-sponsored protocols: the median proportion increased from 64% (IQR, 55%-72%) in 2012 to 76% (IQR, 64%-83%) in 2016, while for industry-sponsored protocols median adherence was 77% (IQR 72%-80%) for both years. The following trial characteristics were independently associated with lower adherence to SPIRIT: single-centre trial, no support from a clinical trials unit or contract research organisation, and investigator-sponsorship. CONCLUSIONS In 2012, industry-sponsored RCT protocols were reported more comprehensively than investigator-sponsored protocols. After publication of the SPIRIT checklist, investigator-sponsored protocols improved to the level of industry-sponsored protocols, which did not improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Gryaznov
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Belinda von Niederhäusern
- Department of Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Roche Pharma AG, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Speich
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benjamin Kasenda
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elena Ojeda-Ruiz
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Preventive Medicine Department, Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
| | - Anette Blümle
- Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schandelmaier
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dominik Mertz
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayodele Odutayo
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yuki Tomonaga
- Epidemiology, Biostatistic und Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinical Research Unit, Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Pauli-Magnus
- Department of Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viktoria Gloy
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Szimonetta Lohner
- Cochrane Hungary, Clinical Centre of the University of Pécs, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Karin Bischoff
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Wollmann
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laura Rehner
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Nursing Science and Interprofessional Learning, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Joerg J Meerpohl
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alain Nordmann
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Klatte
- Department of Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nilabh Ghosh
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Wong
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ngai Chow
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Hong
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kimberly A McCord-De Iaco
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sirintip Sricharoenchai
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jason W Busse
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arnav Agarwal
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramon Saccilotto
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schwenkglenks
- Epidemiology, Biostatistic und Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giusi Moffa
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lars Hemkens
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Meta-Research Innovation Center Berlin (METRICS-B), Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Meta-Research Innovation Center Stanford (METRICS), Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sally Hopewell
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Erik Von Elm
- Cochrane Switzerland, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Gloy V, Speich B, Griessbach A, Taji Heravi A, Schulz A, Fabbro T, Magnus CP, McLennan S, Bertram W, Briel M. Scoping review and characteristics of publicly available checklists for assessing clinical trial feasibility. BMC Med Res Methodol 2022; 22:142. [PMID: 35590285 PMCID: PMC9118562 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01617-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Whether there is sufficient capacity and capability for the successful conduct and delivery of a clinical trial should be assessed by several stakeholders according to transparent and evidence-based criteria during trial planning. For this openly shared, user-tested, and validated tools are necessary. Therefore, we systematically examined the public availability and content of checklists which assess the study-level feasibility in the planning phase of clinical trials. Methods In our scoping review we systematically searched Medline, EMBASE, and Google (last search, June 2021). We included all publicly available checklists or tools that assessed study level feasibility of clinical trials, examined their content, and checked whether they were user-tested or validated in any form. Data was analysed and synthesised using conventional content analysis. Results A total of 10 publicly available checklists from five countries were identified. The checklists included 48 distinct items that were classified according to the following seven different domains of clinical trial feasibility: regulation, review and oversight; participant recruitment; space, material and equipment; financial resources; trial team resources; trial management; and pilot or feasibility studies. None of the available checklists appeared to be user-tested or validated. Conclusions Although a number of publicly available checklists to assess the feasibility of clinical trials exist, their reliability and usefulness remain unclear. Openly shared, user-tested, and validated feasibility assessment tools for a better planning of clinical trials are lacking. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12874-022-01617-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Gloy
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Benjamin Speich
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexandra Griessbach
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,Clinical Trials Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Schulz
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Fabbro
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Pauli Magnus
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stuart McLennan
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wendy Bertram
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthias Briel
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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9
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Schönenberger CM, Griessbach A, Heravi AT, Gryaznov D, Gloy VL, Lohner S, Klatte K, Ghosh N, Lee H, Mansouri A, Marian IR, Saccilotto R, Nury E, Busse JW, von Niederhäusern B, Mertz D, Blümle A, Odutayo A, Hopewell S, Speich B, Briel M. A meta-research study of randomized controlled trials found infrequent and delayed availability of protocols. J Clin Epidemiol 2022; 149:45-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Speich B, Gryaznov D, Busse JW, Gloy VL, Lohner S, Klatte K, Taji Heravi A, Ghosh N, Lee H, Mansouri A, Marian IR, Saccilotto R, Nury E, Kasenda B, Ojeda–Ruiz E, Schandelmaier S, Tomonaga Y, Amstutz A, Pauli–Magnus C, Bischoff K, Wollmann K, Rehner L, Meerpohl JJ, Nordmann A, Wong J, Chow N, Hong PJ, Mc Cord – De Iaco K, Sricharoenchai S, Agarwal A, Schwenkglenks M, Hemkens LG, von Elm E, Copsey B, Griessbach AN, Schönenberger C, Mertz D, Blümle A, von Niederhäusern B, Hopewell S, Odutayo A, Briel M. Nonregistration, discontinuation, and nonpublication of randomized trials: A repeated metaresearch analysis. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003980. [PMID: 35476675 PMCID: PMC9094518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously found that 25% of 1,017 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) approved between 2000 and 2003 were discontinued prematurely, and 44% remained unpublished at a median of 12 years follow-up. We aimed to assess a decade later (1) whether rates of completion and publication have increased; (2) the extent to which nonpublished RCTs can be identified in trial registries; and (3) the association between reporting quality of protocols and premature discontinuation or nonpublication of RCTs. METHODS AND FINDINGS We included 326 RCT protocols approved in 2012 by research ethics committees in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada in this metaresearch study. Pilot, feasibility, and phase 1 studies were excluded. We extracted trial characteristics from each study protocol and systematically searched for corresponding trial registration (if not reported in the protocol) and full text publications until February 2022. For trial registrations, we searched the (i) World Health Organization: International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP); (ii) US National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov); (iii) European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EUCTR); (iv) ISRCTN registry; and (v) Google. For full text publications, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. We recorded whether RCTs were registered, discontinued (including reason for discontinuation), and published. The reporting quality of RCT protocols was assessed with the 33-item SPIRIT checklist. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between the independent variables protocol reporting quality, planned sample size, type of control (placebo versus other), reporting of any recruitment projection, single-center versus multicenter trials, and industry versus investigator sponsoring, with the 2 dependent variables: (1) publication of RCT results; and (2) trial discontinuation due to poor recruitment. Of the 326 included trials, 19 (6%) were unregistered. Ninety-eight trials (30%) were discontinued prematurely, most often due to poor recruitment (37%; 36/98). One in 5 trials (21%; 70/326) remained unpublished at 10 years follow-up, and 21% of unpublished trials (15/70) were unregistered. Twenty-three of 147 investigator-sponsored trials (16%) reported their results in a trial registry in contrast to 150 of 179 industry-sponsored trials (84%). The median proportion of reported SPIRIT items in included RCT protocols was 69% (interquartile range 61% to 77%). We found no variables associated with trial discontinuation; however, lower reporting quality of trial protocols was associated with nonpublication (odds ratio, 0.71 for each 10% increment in the proportion of SPIRIT items met; 95% confidence interval, 0.55 to 0.92; p = 0.009). Study limitations include that the moderate sample size may have limited the ability of our regression models to identify significant associations. CONCLUSIONS We have observed that rates of premature trial discontinuation have not changed in the past decade. Nonpublication of RCTs has declined but remains common; 21% of unpublished trials could not be identified in registries. Only 16% of investigator-sponsored trials reported results in a trial registry. Higher reporting quality of RCT protocols was associated with publication of results. Further efforts from all stakeholders are needed to improve efficiency and transparency of clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Speich
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Dmitry Gryaznov
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jason W. Busse
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Viktoria L. Gloy
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Szimonetta Lohner
- Cochrane Hungary, Clinical Centre of the University of Pécs, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Katharina Klatte
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nilabh Ghosh
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hopin Lee
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Mansouri
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ioana R. Marian
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ramon Saccilotto
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edris Nury
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine (for Cochrane Germany Foundation), Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Medical Center Hamburg–Eppendorf–UKE, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Kasenda
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elena Ojeda–Ruiz
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Health Prevention, Promotion and Care Area; Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, Preventive Medicine Department, Vitoria–Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Stefan Schandelmaier
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Yuki Tomonaga
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Pauli–Magnus
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karin Bischoff
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Laura Rehner
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Nursing Science and Interprofessional Learning, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Joerg J. Meerpohl
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alain Nordmann
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Wong
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Ngai Chow
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Patrick Jiho Hong
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kimberly Mc Cord – De Iaco
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Multifactorial and Complex Diseases Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sirintip Sricharoenchai
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arnav Agarwal
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthias Schwenkglenks
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lars G. Hemkens
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Meta–Research Innovation Center Berlin (METRICS–B), Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Meta–Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS), Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Erik von Elm
- Cochrane Switzerland, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bethan Copsey
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra N. Griessbach
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christof Schönenberger
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Mertz
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Anette Blümle
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Belinda von Niederhäusern
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Roche Pharma AG, Grenzach–Wyhlen, Germany
| | - Sally Hopewell
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ayodele Odutayo
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit / Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthias Briel
- Meta–Research Centre, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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Taji Heravi A, Henn A, Deuster S, McLennan S, Gloy V, Mitter VR, Briel M. Investigational medicinal products, related costs and hospital pharmacy services for investigator-initiated trials: A mixed-methods study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264427. [PMID: 35245312 PMCID: PMC8896670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conducting high quality investigator-initiated trials (IITs) is challenging and costly. The costs of investigational medicinal products (IMPs) in IITs and the role of hospital pharmacies in the planning of IITs are unclear. We conducted a mixed-methods study to compare planned and actual costs of IMPs in Swiss IITs, to examine potential reasons for differences, and to gather stakeholder views about hospital services for IITs. METHODS We included all IITs with IMP services from the Basel hospital pharmacy invoiced between January 2014 and June 2020 (n = 24). We documented trial and IMP characteristics including planned and actual IMP costs. Our working definition for a substantial cost difference was that the actual IMP costs were more than 10% higher than the planned IMP costs in a trial. We conducted semi-structured interviews with investigators, clinical trials unit and hospital pharmacy staff, and qualitatively analyzed transcribed interviews. RESULTS For 13 IITs we observed no differences between planned and actual costs of IMPs (median, 11'000 US$; interquartile range [IQR], 8'882-16'302 US$), but for 11 IITs we found cost increases from a median of 11'000 US$ (IQR, 8'922-36'166 US$) to a median over 28'000 US$ (IQR, 13'004-49'777 US$). All multicenter trials and 10 of 11 IITs with patients experienced substantial cost differences. From the interviews we identified four main themes: 1) Patient recruitment and organizational problems were identified as main reasons for cost differences, 2) higher actual IMP costs were bearable for most investigators, 3) IMP services for IITs were not a priority for the hospital pharmacy, and 4) closer collaboration between clinical trial unit and hospital pharmacy staff, and sufficient staff for IITs at the hospital pharmacy could improve IMP services. CONCLUSIONS Multicenter IITs enrolling patients are particularly at risk for higher IMP costs than planned. These trials are more difficult to plan and logistically challenging, which leads to delays and expiring IMP shelf-lives. IMP services of hospital pharmacies are important for IITs in Switzerland, but need to be further developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala Taji Heravi
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Henn
- Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Stuart McLennan
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktoria Gloy
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vera Ruth Mitter
- Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Speich B, Gloy VL, Klatte K, Gryaznov D, Taji Heravi A, Ghosh N, Marian IR, Lee H, Mansouri A, Lohner S, Saccilotto R, Nury E, Chan AW, Blümle A, Odutayo A, Hopewell S, Briel M. Reliability of Trial Information Across Registries for Trials With Multiple Registrations: A Systematic Review. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2128898. [PMID: 34724557 PMCID: PMC8561329 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Clinical trial registries are important for gaining an overview of ongoing research efforts and for deterring and identifying publication bias and selective outcome reporting. The reliability of the information in trial registries is uncertain. OBJECTIVE To assess the reliability of information across registries for trials with multiple registrations. EVIDENCE REVIEW For this systematic review, 360 protocols of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) approved by research ethics committees in Switzerland, the UK, Canada, and Germany in 2012 were evaluated. Clinical trial registries were searched from March to September 2019 for corresponding registrations of these RCTs. For RCTS that were recorded in more than 1 clinical trial registry, key trial characteristics that should be identical among all trial registries (ie, sponsor, funding source, primary outcome, target sample size, trial status, date of first patient enrollment, results available, and main publication indexed) were extracted in duplicate. Agreement between the different trial registries for these key characteristics was analyzed descriptively. Data analyses were conducted from May 1 to November 30, 2020. Representatives from clinical trial registries were interviewed to discuss the study findings between February 1 and March 31, 2021. FINDINGS The analysis included 197 RCTs registered in more than 1 trial registry (151 in 2 registries and 46 in 3 registries), with 188 trials in ClinicalTrials.gov, 185 in the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT), 20 in ISRCTN, and 47 in other registries. The agreement of key information across all registries was as follows: 178 of 197 RCTs (90%; 95% CI, 85%-94%) for sponsor, 18 of 20 (90%; 95% CI, 68%-99%) for funding source (funding was not reported on ClinicalTrials.gov), 154 of 197 (78%; 95% CI, 72%-84%) for primary outcome, 90 of 197 (46%; 95% CI, 39%-53%) for trial status, 122 of 194 (63%; 95% CI, 56%-70%) for target sample size, and 43 of 57 (75%; 95% CI, 62%-86%) for the date of first patient enrollment when the comparison time was increased to 30 days (date of first patient enrollment was not reported on EudraCT). For results availability in trial registries, agreement was 122 of 197 RCTs (62%; 95% CI, 55%-69%) for summary data reported in the registry and 91 of 197 (46%; 95% CI, 39%-53%) for whether a published article with the main results was indexed. Different legal requirements were stated as the main reason for inconsistencies by representatives of clinical trial registries. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this systematic review, for a substantial proportion of registered RCTs, information about key trial characteristics was inconsistent across trial registries, raising concerns about the reliability of the information provided in these registries. Further harmonization across clinical trial registries may be necessary to increase their usefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Speich
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Viktoria L. Gloy
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Klatte
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dmitry Gryaznov
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nilabh Ghosh
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ioana R. Marian
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hopin Lee
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Mansouri
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Szimonetta Lohner
- Cochrane Hungary, Clinical Centre of the University of Pécs, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ramon Saccilotto
- Clinical Trial Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edris Nury
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine (for Cochrane Germany Foundation), Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - An-Wen Chan
- Department of Medicine, Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anette Blümle
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine (for Cochrane Germany Foundation), Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ayodele Odutayo
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sally Hopewell
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Briel
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
This cross-sectional study compares randomized clinical trial protocols to assess the prevalence and reporting quality of planned subgroup analyses over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala Taji Heravi
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dmitry Gryaznov
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Schandelmaier
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Benjamin Kasenda
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research and Development, iOMEDICO, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Briel
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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14
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Speich B, Logullo P, Deuster S, Marian IR, Moschandreas J, Taji Heravi A, Gloy V, Briel M, Hopewell S. A meta-research study revealed several challenges in obtaining placebos for investigator-initiated drug trials. J Clin Epidemiol 2021; 131:70-78. [PMID: 33242608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically assess the kind of placebos used in investigator-initiated randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from where they are obtained, and the hurdles that exist in obtaining them. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING PubMed was searched for recently published noncommercial, placebo-controlled randomized drug trials. Corresponding authors were invited to participate in an online survey. RESULTS From 423 eligible articles, 109 (26%) corresponding authors (partially) participated. Twenty-one of 102 (21%) authors reported that the placebos used were not matching (correctly labeled in only one publication). The main sources in obtaining placebos were hospital pharmacies (32 of 107; 30%) and the manufacturer of the study drug (28 of 107; 26%). RCTs with a hypothesis in the interest of the manufacturer of the study drug were more likely to have obtained placebos from the drug manufacturer (18 of 49; 37% vs. 5 of 29; 17%). Median costs for placebos and packaging were US$ 58,286 (IQR US$ 2,428- US$ 160,770; n = 24), accounting for a median of 10.3% of the overall trial budget. CONCLUSION Although using matching placebos is widely accepted as a basic practice in RCTs, there seems to be no standard source to acquire them. Obtaining placebos requires substantial resources, and using nonmatching placebos is common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Speich
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Patricia Logullo
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; The EQUATOR Network, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Deuster
- Hospital Pharmacy, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ioana R Marian
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Moschandreas
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viktoria Gloy
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Sally Hopewell
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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15
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Gryaznov D, Odutayo A, von Niederhäusern B, Speich B, Kasenda B, Ojeda-Ruiz E, Blümle A, Schandelmaier S, Mertz D, Tomonaga Y, Amstutz A, Pauli-Magnus C, Gloy V, Bischoff K, Wollmann K, Rehner L, Lohner S, Meerpohl JJ, Nordmann A, Klatte K, Ghosh N, Heravi AT, Wong J, Chow N, Hong PJ, Cord KM, Sricharoenchai S, Busse JW, Agarwal A, Saccilotto R, Schwenkglenks M, Moffa G, Hemkens LG, Hopewell S, von Elm E, Briel M. Rationale and design of repeated cross-sectional studies to evaluate the reporting quality of trial protocols: the Adherence to SPIrit REcommendations (ASPIRE) study and associated projects. Trials 2020; 21:896. [PMID: 33115541 PMCID: PMC7594472 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04808-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clearly structured and comprehensive protocols are an essential component to ensure safety of participants, data validity, successful conduct, and credibility of results of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Funding agencies, research ethics committees (RECs), regulatory agencies, medical journals, systematic reviewers, and other stakeholders rely on protocols to appraise the conduct and reporting of RCTs. In response to evidence of poor protocol quality, the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guideline was published in 2013 to improve the accuracy and completeness of clinical trial protocols. The impact of these recommendations on protocol completeness and associations between protocol completeness and successful RCT conduct and publication remain uncertain. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Aims of the Adherence to SPIrit REcommendations (ASPIRE) study are to investigate adherence to SPIRIT checklist items of RCT protocols approved by RECs in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Canada before (2012) and after (2016) the publication of the SPIRIT guidelines; determine protocol features associated with non-adherence to SPIRIT checklist items; and assess potential differences in adherence across countries. We assembled an international cohort of RCTs based on 450 protocols approved in 2012 and 402 protocols approved in 2016 by RECs in Switzerland, the UK, Germany, and Canada. We will extract data on RCT characteristics and adherence to SPIRIT for all included protocols. We will use multivariable regression models to investigate temporal changes in SPIRIT adherence, differences across countries, and associations between SPIRIT adherence of protocols with RCT registration, completion, and publication of results. We plan substudies to examine the registration, premature discontinuation, and non-publication of RCTs; the use of patient-reported outcomes in RCT protocols; SPIRIT adherence of RCT protocols with non-regulated interventions; the planning of RCT subgroup analyses; and the use of routinely collected data for RCTs. DISCUSSION The ASPIRE study and associated substudies will provide important information on the impact of measures to improve the reporting of RCT protocols and on multiple aspects of RCT design, trial registration, premature discontinuation, and non-publication of RCTs observing potential changes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Gryaznov
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ayodele Odutayo
- Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Instiute of St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Belinda von Niederhäusern
- Department of Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Roche Pharma AG, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Speich
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benjamin Kasenda
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- iOMEDICO AG, Research & Development, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elena Ojeda-Ruiz
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Preventive Medicine Department, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Health Prevention, Promotion and Care Area, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Anette Blümle
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Schandelmaier
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Dominik Mertz
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Yuki Tomonaga
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Pauli-Magnus
- Department of Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viktoria Gloy
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karin Bischoff
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Wollmann
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laura Rehner
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Szimonetta Lohner
- Cochrane Hungary, Clinical Centre of the University of Pécs, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Joerg J. Meerpohl
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alain Nordmann
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Klatte
- Department of Clinical Research, Clinical Trial Unit, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nilabh Ghosh
- Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ala Taji Heravi
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Wong
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Ngai Chow
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Patrick Jiho Hong
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kimberly Mc Cord
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sirintip Sricharoenchai
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jason W. Busse
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Arnav Agarwal
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Ramon Saccilotto
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schwenkglenks
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giusi Moffa
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lars G. Hemkens
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sally Hopewell
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Erik von Elm
- Cochrane Switzerland, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Briel
- Department of Clinical Research, Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 12, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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