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Kahan BC, Blette BS, Harhay MO, Halpern SD, Jairath V, Copas A, Li F. Demystifying estimands in cluster-randomised trials. Stat Methods Med Res 2024:9622802241254197. [PMID: 38780480 DOI: 10.1177/09622802241254197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Estimands can help clarify the interpretation of treatment effects and ensure that estimators are aligned with the study's objectives. Cluster-randomised trials require additional attributes to be defined within the estimand compared to individually randomised trials, including whether treatment effects are marginal or cluster-specific, and whether they are participant- or cluster-average. In this paper, we provide formal definitions of estimands encompassing both these attributes using potential outcomes notation and describe differences between them. We then provide an overview of estimators for each estimand, describe their assumptions, and show consistency (i.e. asymptotically unbiased estimation) for a series of analyses based on cluster-level summaries. Then, through a re-analysis of a published cluster-randomised trial, we demonstrate that the choice of both estimand and estimator can affect interpretation. For instance, the estimated odds ratio ranged from 1.38 (p = 0.17) to 1.83 (p = 0.03) depending on the target estimand, and for some estimands, the choice of estimator affected the conclusions by leading to smaller treatment effect estimates. We conclude that careful specification of the estimand, along with an appropriate choice of estimator, is essential to ensuring that cluster-randomised trials address the right question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennan C Kahan
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Bryan S Blette
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
| | - Michael O Harhay
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, UCL, London, UK
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Scott D Halpern
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Vipul Jairath
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Copas
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Kahan BC, Hindley J, Edwards M, Cro S, Morris TP. The estimands framework: a primer on the ICH E9(R1) addendum. BMJ 2024; 384:e076316. [PMID: 38262663 PMCID: PMC10802140 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Brennan C Kahan
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College London, London WC1V 6LJ, UK
| | - Joanna Hindley
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College London, London WC1V 6LJ, UK
| | - Mark Edwards
- Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Southampton NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Suzie Cro
- Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tim P Morris
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College London, London WC1V 6LJ, UK
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Wright D, Bratton DJ, Drury T, Keene ON, Rehal S, White IR. Comments on "Emerging insights and commentaries - MMRM vs LOCF by Naitee Ting". J Biopharm Stat 2024; 34:146-148. [PMID: 37747099 DOI: 10.1080/10543406.2023.2250853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Wright
- Statistical Innovation, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Thomas Drury
- Statistics and Data Science Innovation Hub, GSK, London, UK
| | | | - Sunita Rehal
- Statistics and Data Science Innovation Hub, GSK, London, UK
| | - Ian R White
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College London
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Keene O. Adherence, per-protocol effects, and the estimands framework. Pharm Stat 2023; 22:1141-1144. [PMID: 37477077 DOI: 10.1002/pst.2326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
In the statistical literature, treatment effects in clinical trials are frequently described as either ITT or per-protocol effects. The estimand given for the per-protocol effect is the effect in adherers, where adherers are typically defined as adhering to the intervention as specified in the trial protocol. This dichotomy of treatment effects is unhelpful when there are in reality multiple treatment effects that can be of clinical interest and relevance. The terms "per-protocol" and "adherence" are confusing to non-statisticians. Protocols always allow for discontinuation of randomized treatment so participants discontinuing have actually followed the protocol. When rescue or additional medication is available, the effect in adherers could mean the effect regardless of use of these medications or the effect in a counterfactual world where the participant did not take the medication. Adherence can mean continuing to be prescribed a treatment or some arbitrary level of compliance with a medication that has been prescribed. The ICH E9 (R1) estimands framework provides an improved alternative for the description of treatment effects in clinical trials. Identification of important intercurrent events and the strategy used to handle these events is key to determining the treatment effect. When designing a trial, estimands should be properly defined according to this framework. It is time the statistical literature abandoned describing treatment effects as the effect in adherers or the per-protocol effect.
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Keene ON, Lynggaard H, Englert S, Lanius V, Wright D. Why estimands are needed to define treatment effects in clinical trials. BMC Med 2023; 21:276. [PMID: 37501156 PMCID: PMC10375689 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02969-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The estimand for a clinical trial is a precise definition of the treatment effect to be estimated. Traditionally, estimates of treatment effects are based on either an ITT analysis or a per-protocol analysis. However, there are important clinical questions which are not addressed by either of these analyses. For example, consider a trial where patients take a rescue medication. The ITT analysis includes data after use of rescue, while the per-protocol analysis excludes these patients altogether. Neither of these analyses addresses the important question of what the treatment effect would have been if patients did not take rescue medication. MAIN TEXT Trial estimands provide a broader perspective compared to the limitations of ITT and per-protocol analysis. Trial treatment effects depend on how events occurring after treatment initiation such as use of alternative medication or discontinuation of the intervention are included in the definition. These events can be accounted for in different ways, depending on the clinical question of interest. CONCLUSION The estimand framework is an important step forward in improving the clarity and transparency of clinical trials. The centrality of estimands to clinical trials is currently not reflected in methods recommended by the Cochrane group or the CONSORT statement, the current standard for reporting clinical trials in medical journals. We encourage revisions to these guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Englert
- Statistical Modeling & Methodology, Janssen R&D, Janssen-Cilag GmbH, Neuss, Germany
| | - Vivian Lanius
- Statistics & Data Insights, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - David Wright
- Statistical Innovation, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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Morga A, Latimer NR, Scott M, Hawkins N, Schlichting M, Wang J. Is Intention to Treat Still the Gold Standard or Should Health Technology Assessment Agencies Embrace a Broader Estimands Framework?: Insights and Perspectives From the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen on the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use E9 (R1) Addendum. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 26:234-242. [PMID: 36150999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) E9 (R1) addendum will have an important impact on the design and analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials, which represent crucial sources of evidence in health technology assessments, and on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle in particular. This article brings together a task force of health economists and statisticians in academic institutes and the pharmaceutical industry, to examine the implications of the addendum from the perspective of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen (IQWiG) and to address the question of whether the ITT principle should be considered the gold standard for estimating treatment effects. METHODS We review the ITT principle, as introduced in the ICH E9 guideline. We then present an overview of the ICH E9 (R1) addendum and its estimand framework, highlighting its premise and the proposed strategies for handling intercurrent events, and examine some cases among submissions to IQWiG and NICE. RESULTS IQWiG and NICE appear to have diverging perspectives around the relevance of the ITT principle and, in particular, the acceptance of hypothetical strategies for estimating treatment effects, as suggested by examples where the sponsor proposed an alternative approach to the ITT principle when accounting for treatment switching for interventional oncology trials. CONCLUSIONS The ICH E9 (R1) addendum supports the use of methods that depart from the ITT principle. The relevance of estimands using these methods depends on the perspectives and objectives of payers. It is challenging to design a study that meets all stakeholders' research questions. Different estimands may serve to answer different relevant questions or decision problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Morga
- Global Medical Affairs, Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, Addlestone, England, UK.
| | - Nicholas R Latimer
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England, UK
| | | | - Neil Hawkins
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Jixian Wang
- Biometrics and Data Science, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boudry, Switzerland
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Filippatos G, Anker SD, August P, Coats AJS, Januzzi JL, Mankovsky B, Rossing P, Ruilope LM, Pitt B, Sarafidis P, Teerlink JR, Kapelios CJ, Gebel M, Brinker M, Joseph A, Lage A, Bakris G, Agarwal R. Finerenone and effects on mortality in chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes: a FIDELITY analysis. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY 2023; 9:183-191. [PMID: 36639130 PMCID: PMC9892867 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Finerenone reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated the causes of mortality in the FIDELITY population. METHODS AND RESULTS The FIDELITY prespecified pooled data analysis from FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD excluded patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Outcomes included intention-to-treat and prespecified on-treatment analyses of the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Of 13 026 patients [mean age, 64.8 years; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 57.6 mL/min/1.73 m2], 99.8% were on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. Finerenone reduced the incidence of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality vs. placebo (8.5% vs. 9.4% and 4.9% vs. 5.6%, respectively) and demonstrated significant on-treatment reductions [hazard ratio (HR), 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.70-0.96; P = 0.014 and HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99; P = 0.040, respectively]. Cardiovascular-related mortality was most common, and finerenone lowered the incidence of sudden cardiac death vs. placebo [1.3% (incidence rate 0.44/100 patient-years) vs. 1.8% (0.58/100 patient-years), respectively; HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-0.996; P = 0.046]. The effects of finerenone on mortality were similar across all Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes risk groups. Event probability with finerenone at 4 years was consistent irrespective of baseline urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, but seemingly more pronounced in patients with higher baseline eGFR. CONCLUSION In FIDELITY, finerenone significantly reduced the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality vs. placebo in patients with T2D across a broad spectrum of CKD stages while on treatment, as well as sudden cardiac death in the intention-to-treat population. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02540993 and NCT02545049, respectively (funded by Bayer AG).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan D Anker
- Department of Cardiology (CVK) and Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research Partner Site Berlin, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Phyllis August
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital–Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA,Department of Transplantation Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital–Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - James L Januzzi
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Baim Institute for Clinical Research, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Peter Rossing
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luis M Ruilope
- Cardiorenal Translational Laboratory and Hypertension Unit, Institute of Research imas12, Madrid, Spain,CIBER-CV, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain,Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bertram Pitt
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Pantelis Sarafidis
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloníki, Greece
| | - John R Teerlink
- Section of Cardiology, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chris J Kapelios
- Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Rimini 1, Chaidari 124 62, Athens, Greece,Department of Cardiology, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Martin Gebel
- Statistics & Data Insights, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Meike Brinker
- Cardiology and Nephrology Clinical Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Amer Joseph
- Research and Development, Chiesi S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Lage
- Cardiology and Nephrology Clinical Development, Bayer SA, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - George Bakris
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rajiv Agarwal
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center and Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Cro S, Kahan BC, Rehal S, Chis Ster A, Carpenter JR, White IR, Cornelius VR. Evaluating how clear the questions being investigated in randomised trials are: systematic review of estimands. BMJ 2022; 378:e070146. [PMID: 35998928 PMCID: PMC9396446 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-070146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate how often the precise research question being addressed about an intervention (the estimand) is stated or can be determined from reported methods, and to identify what types of questions are being investigated in phase 2-4 randomised trials. DESIGN Systematic review of the clarity of research questions being investigated in randomised trials in 2020 in six leading general medical journals. DATA SOURCE PubMed search in February 2021. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES Phase 2-4 randomised trials, with no restrictions on medical conditions or interventions. Cluster randomised, crossover, non-inferiority, and equivalence trials were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of trials that stated the precise primary question being addressed about an intervention (ie, the primary estimand), or for which the primary estimand could be determined unambiguously from the reported methods using statistical knowledge. Strategies used to handle post-randomisation events that affect the interpretation or existence of patient outcomes, such as intervention discontinuations or uses of additional drug treatments (known as intercurrent events), and the corresponding types of questions being investigated. RESULTS 255 eligible randomised trials were identified. No trials clearly stated all the attributes of the estimand. In 117 (46%) of 255 trials, the primary estimand could be determined from the reported methods. Intercurrent events were reported in 242 (95%) of 255 trials; but the handling of these could only be determined in 125 (49%) of 255 trials. Most trials that provided this information considered the occurrence of intercurrent events as irrelevant in the calculation of the treatment effect and assessed the effect of the intervention regardless (96/125, 77%)-that is, they used a treatment policy strategy. Four (4%) of 99 trials with treatment non-adherence owing to adverse events estimated the treatment effect in a hypothetical setting (ie, the effect as if participants continued treatment despite adverse events), and 19 (79%) of 24 trials where some patients died estimated the treatment effect in a hypothetical setting (ie, the effect as if participants did not die). CONCLUSIONS The precise research question being investigated in most trials is unclear, mainly because of a lack of clarity on the approach to handling intercurrent events. Clear reporting of estimands is necessary in trial reports so that all stakeholders, including clinicians, patients and policy makers, can make fully informed decisions about medical interventions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42021238053.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzie Cro
- Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Brennan C Kahan
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - James R Carpenter
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ian R White
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria R Cornelius
- Imperial Clinical Trials Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Fletcher C, Hefting N, Wright M, Bell J, Anzures-Cabrera J, Wright D, Lynggaard H, Schueler A. Marking 2-Years of New Thinking in Clinical Trials: The Estimand Journey. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2022; 56:637-650. [PMID: 35462609 PMCID: PMC9035309 DOI: 10.1007/s43441-022-00402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ICH E9(R1) addendum on Estimands and Sensitivity Analyses in Clinical Trials has introduced a new estimand framework for the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials. We share Pharmaceutical Industry experiences of implementing the estimand framework in the first two years since the final guidance became available with key lessons learned and highlight what else needs to be done to continue the journey in embedding the estimand framework in clinical trials. Emerging best practices and points to consider on strategies for implementing a new estimand thinking process are provided. Whilst much of the focus of implementing ICH E9(R1) to date has been on defining estimands, we highlight some of the important aspects relating to the choice of statistical analysis methods and sensitivity analyses to ensure estimands can be estimated robustly with minimal bias. In particular, we discuss the implications if complete follow-up is not possible when the treatment policy strategy is being used to handle intercurrent events. ICH E9(R1) was introduced just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a positive outcome from the pandemic has been an acceleration in the adoption of the estimand framework, including differentiating intercurrent events related or not related to the pandemic. In summary, much has been learned on the estimand journey and continued sharing of case studies will help to further advance the understanding and increase awareness across all clinical researchers of the estimand framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fletcher
- Biostatistics, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Stevenage, United Kingdom.
| | - N Hefting
- Clinical Development, Psychiatry, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | - M Wright
- Analytics, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - J Bell
- Clinical Operations, Elderbrook Solutions GmbH, High Wycombe, United Kingdom
| | - J Anzures-Cabrera
- Data Sciences, Roche Products Ltd, Welywn Garden City, United Kingdom
| | - D Wright
- Statistical Innovation, DS&AI, BioPharma R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - H Lynggaard
- Biostatistics, Data Science, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark
| | - A Schueler
- Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Medical Writing, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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Laska E, Siegel C, Lin Z. A likely responder approach for the analysis of randomized controlled trials. Contemp Clin Trials 2022; 114:106688. [PMID: 35085831 PMCID: PMC8934276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.106688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To further the precision medicine goal of tailoring medical treatment to individual patient characteristics by providing a method of analysis of the effect of test treatment, T, compared to a reference treatment, R, in participants in a RCT who are likely responders to T. METHODS Likely responders to T are individuals whose expected response at baseline exceeds a prespecified minimum. A prognostic score, the expected response predicted as a function of baseline covariates, is obtained at trial completion. It is a balancing score that can be used to match likely responders randomized to T with those randomized to R; the result is comparable treatment groups that have a common covariance distribution. Treatments are compared based on observed outcomes in this enriched sample. The approach is illustrated in a RCT comparing two treatments for opioid use disorder. RESULTS A standard statistical analysis of the opioid use disorder RCT found no treatment difference in the total sample. However, a subset of likely responders to T were identified and in this group, T was statistically superior to R. CONCLUSION The causal treatment effect of T relative to R among likely responders may be more important than the effect in the whole target population. The prognostic score function provides quantitative information to support patient specific treatment decisions regarding T furthering the goal of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Laska
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, One Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Carole Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, One Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Ziqiang Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, One Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Deng J, Liu X, Wang Y, Fan J, Yang L, Duan J, Yuan Y, Lan P, Shan Z, Xiong J, Peng W, He Q, Chen Y, Fu X. The therapeutic effect of Taijiquan combined with acupoint pressing on the treatment of anxiety insomnia in college students: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:961513. [PMID: 36032232 PMCID: PMC9399498 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.961513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sleep health is an important part of health and has become a common concern of society. For anxiety insomnia, the commonly used clinical therapies have limitations. Alternative and complementary therapy is gradually rising and showing remarkable effect in clinical practice. This is the first study to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Taijiquan combined with acupoint pressing in the treatment of anxiety insomnia in college students and to compare the difference in intervention before and after sleep, to choose the best treatment time. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 126 eligible subjects who have passed the psychological evaluation and met inclusion criteria by completing a psychometric scale will be randomly divided into treatment group A (treat before sleep), treatment group B (treat after sleep) and control group C (waiting list group) in a ratio of 1:1:1. All the three groups will receive regular psychological counseling during the trial, and the treatment groups will practice 24-style Taijiquan and do meridian acupuncture at Baihui (DU20), Shenting (DU24), Yintang (EX-HN3), Shenmen (HT7) and Sanyinjiao (SP6). This RCT includes a 2-week baseline period, a 12-week intervention period, and a 12-week follow-up period. The main results will be measured by changes in the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA). The secondary results will be measured by the generalized anxiety scale (GAD-7) and insomnia severity index (ISI). The safety of the intervention will be evaluated at each assessment. The statistical analysis of data will be carried out by SPSSV.26.0 software. DISCUSSION We expect this trial to explore the effectiveness of Taijiquan combined with acupoint pressing in the treatment of anxiety insomnia in college students and choose the best treatment time by comparison. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [ChiCTR2200057003].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianya Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyan Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiming Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jieyang Fan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiamin Duan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongfang Yuan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peishu Lan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhuoxuan Shan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Junfeng Xiong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenyu Peng
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qingfeng He
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajie Chen
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoxu Fu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Pohl M, Baumann L, Behnisch R, Kirchner M, Krisam J, Sander A. Estimands-a Basic Element for Clinical Trials. Part 29 of a Series on Evaluation of Scientific Publications. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 118:883-888. [PMID: 34857075 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials are of central importance for the evaluation and comparison of treatments. The transparency and intelligibility of the treatment effect under investigation is an essential matter for physicians, patients, and health-care authorities. The estimand framework has been introduced because many trials are deficient in this respect. METHODS Introduction, definition, and application of the estimand framework on the basis of an example and a selective review of the literature. RESULTS The estimand framework provides a systematic approach to the definition of the treatment effect under investigation in a clinical trial. An estimand consists of five attributes: treatment, population, variable, population-level summary, and handling of intercurrent events. Each of these attributes is defined in an interdisciplinary discussion during the trial planning phase, based on the clinical question being asked. Special attention is given to the handling of intercurrent events (ICEs): these are events-e.g., discontinuation or modification of treatment or the use of emergency medication-that can occur once the treatment has begun and might affect the possibility of observing the endpoints or their interpretability. There are various strategies for the handling of ICEs; these can, for example, also reflect the existing intentionto- treat (ITT) principle. Per-protocol analyses, in contrast, are prone to bias and cannot be represented in a sensible manner by an estimand, although they may be performed as a supplementary analysis. The discussion of potential intercurrent events and how they should appropriately be handled in view of the aim of the trial must already take place in the planning phase. CONCLUSION Use of the estimand framework should make it easier for both physicians and patients to understand what trials reveal about the efficacy of treatment, and to compare the results of different trials.
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