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van Halewijn KF, Bohnen AM, Pasmans SGMA, Bindels PJE, Elshout G. Reasons for unsuccessful recruitment of children with atopic dermatitis in primary care in the Netherlands to a cohort study with an embedded pragmatic, randomised controlled open-label trial: a survey. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078942. [PMID: 38754875 PMCID: PMC11097857 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078942] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Rotterdam Eczema Study was an observational cohort study with an embedded pragmatic randomised controlled open-label trial. It was conducted in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) in the Dutch primary care system. The objective of the trial was to determine whether a potent topical corticosteroid (TCS) is more effective than a low-potency TCS. OBJECTIVE We are aiming to communicate transparently about the poor recruitment for the trial part and to explore the reasons why recruitment was weak. DESIGN We used a survey to find out what patients in the cohort did when they experienced a flare-up. METHODS Descriptive statistics were used to present the baseline characteristics of participants in the trial and the results of the survey. RESULTS In total, 367 patients were included in the cohort. Of these, 32 were randomly assigned to a trial treatment; they had a median age of 4.0 years (IQR 2.0-9.8). A total of 69 of the 86 children (80.2%) who could participate in the survey responded. 39 (56.5%) suffered a flare-up during the follow-up (making them potentially eligible for inclusion in the trial). 26 out of 39 (66.7%) increased their use of an emollient and/or TCS themselves. Only 12 of the 39 (30.7%) contacted their general practitioner (GP) as instructed in the study protocol, but 8 out of these 12 did not meet the inclusion criteria for the trial. CONCLUSION The main reason why cohort participants did not take part in the trial was that they did not contact their GPs when they experienced an AD flare-up. Furthermore, the majority of patients who contacted their GPs did not match the inclusion criteria of the trial. We expect that the lessons learnt from this study will be useful when developing future studies of children with AD in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn F van Halewijn
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur M Bohnen
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne G M A Pasmans
- Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick J E Bindels
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs Elshout
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Gulden C, Macho P, Reinecke I, Strantz C, Prokosch HU, Blasini R. recruIT: A cloud-native clinical trial recruitment support system based on Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR) and the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model (OMOP CDM). Comput Biol Med 2024; 174:108411. [PMID: 38626510 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108411] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials (CTs) are foundational to the advancement of evidence-based medicine and recruiting a sufficient number of participants is one of the crucial steps to their successful conduct. Yet, poor recruitment remains the most frequent reason for premature discontinuation or costly extension of clinical trials. METHODS We designed and implemented a novel, open-source software system to support the recruitment process in clinical trials by generating automatic recruitment recommendations. The development is guided by modern, cloud-native design principles and based on Health Level 7 (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) as an interoperability standard with the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM) being used as a source of patient data. We evaluated the usability using the system usability scale (SUS) after deploying the application for use by study personnel. RESULTS The implementation is based on the OMOP CDM as a repository of patient data that is continuously queried for possible trial candidates based on given clinical trial eligibility criteria. A web-based screening list can be used to display the candidates and email notifications about possible new trial participants can be sent automatically. All interactions between services use HL7 FHIR as the communication standard. The system can be installed using standard container technology and supports more sophisticated deployments on Kubernetes clusters. End-users (n = 19) rated the system with a SUS score of 79.9/100. CONCLUSION We contribute a novel, open-source implementation to support the patient recruitment process in clinical trials that can be deployed using state-of-the art technologies. According to the SUS score, the system provides good usability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Gulden
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Medical Informatics, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Philipp Macho
- Medical Informatics, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ines Reinecke
- Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Center for Medical Informatics, Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cosima Strantz
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Medical Informatics, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Medical Informatics, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Romina Blasini
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Syed W, Al-Rawi MBA, Bashatah A. Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Clinical Trials: A Questionnaire-Based Study of 179 Male Third- and Fourth-Year PharmD Undergraduates from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e943468. [PMID: 38676293 PMCID: PMC11060002 DOI: 10.12659/msm.943468] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical Trials (CTs) are essential for the formation of a new medicine. This questionnaire-based study included 179 male third- and fourth-year PharmD undergraduate students from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 18 and 23 years of age, was conducted in 2022, and aimed to evaluate student knowledge and attitudes toward CTs. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. The data was collected using convenience sampling. Part 1 of the study collected demographics, with 6 items; part 2 measured knowledge about CTs (9 items); part 3 measured attitudes (5 items) measured on a 5-point Likert scale. A score of 1 was given for correct, and a score of 0 for each incorrect response. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the determinants of knowledge and attitudes about CTs. RESULTS A total of 108 (60.3%) undergraduates reported having heard about CTs, 15% of undergraduates had heard about institutional review boards, while 74.3% of the undergraduates believed that CTs have direct benefits to society. The mean knowledge score of the CTs among the students was 5.75±2.32 (median 6.00), while the mean attitude score of CTs was 16.45±4.56 (median 16.00). However, the results of the simple regression model revealed that age, year of study, and chronic disease status were not predictors of the knowledge and attitude score (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study indicated that half of undergraduates were aware of CTs, were knowledgeable, and showed positive attitudes. Furthermore, the study identified potential misunderstandings about the benefits of CTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajid Syed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmood Basil A. Al-Rawi
- Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Bashatah
- Department of Nursing Administration and Education, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Dasarathy S, Tu W, Bellar A, Welch N, Kettler C, Tang Q, Liangpunsakul S, Gawrieh S, Radaeva S, Mitchell M. Development and evaluation of objective trial performance metrics for multisite clinical studies: Experience from the AlcHep Network. Contemp Clin Trials 2024; 138:107437. [PMID: 38215876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107437] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recruitment and retention are critical in clinical studies but there are limited objective metrics of trial performance. We tested if development of trial performance metrics will allow for objective evaluation of study quality. Performance metrics were developed using data from the observational cohort (OBS) and randomized clinical trial (RCT) arms of the prospective Alcoholic Hepatitis Network. METHODS Yield-rate (%YR; eligible/screened), recruitment index (RI; mean recruitment time/patient), completion index (CI; average number of days to complete the follow-up/patient), and protocol adherence index (AI; average number of deviations/subject recruited) were determined. RESULTS 2250 patients (1168 for OBS; 1082 for RCT) were screened across 8 sites. Recruitment in the RCT (57% target) was similar to that in the OBS (59% target). Of those screened, 743 (63.6%) subjects in the OBS and 147 (13.6%) subjects in the RCT were enrolled in the study. In OBS study, 253 (34.1%) subjects, and in the RCT, 68 (46.3%) subjects, completed the study or reached a censoring event. Across all sites (range), YR for OBS was 63.6% (41.3-98.3%) and for RCT was 13.6% (5.5-92.6%); RI for OBS was 1.66 (8.79-19.85) and for RCT was 4.05 (19.76-36.43); CI for OBS was 4.87 (22.6-118.3) and for RCT was 8.75 (27.27-161.5); and AR for OBS was 0.56 (0.08-1.04) and for RCT was 1.55 (0.39-3.21. Factors related to participants, research design, study team, and research sponsors contributed to lower performance metrics. CONCLUSIONS Objective measures of clinical trial performance allow for strategies to enhance study quality and development of site-specific improvement plans. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov NCT4072822 NCT03850899.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasan Dasarathy
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States of America.
| | - Wanzhu Tu
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Annette Bellar
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Nicole Welch
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Carla Kettler
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Qing Tang
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Samer Gawrieh
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Svetlana Radaeva
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Mack Mitchell
- Department of Digestive and Liver Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States of America
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Marino ML, Kazmaier L, Krendelsberger A, Müller S, Kesting S, Fey T, Nasseh D. How can current oncological datasets be adjusted to support the automated patient recruitment in clinical trials? Health Informatics J 2024; 30:14604582241235632. [PMID: 38491907 DOI: 10.1177/14604582241235632] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to identify necessary adjustments required in existing oncological datasets to effectively support automated patient recruitment. METHODS We extracted and categorized the inclusion and exclusion criteria from 115 oncological trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov in 2022. These criteria were then compared with the content of the oBDS (Oncological Base Dataset version 3.0), Germany's legally mandated oncological data standard. RESULTS The analysis revealed that 42.9% of generalized inclusion and exclusion criteria are typically present as data fields in the oBDS. On average, 54.6% of all criteria per trial were covered. Notably, certain criteria such as comorbidities, pregnancy status, and laboratory values frequently appeared in trial protocols but were absent in the oBDS. CONCLUSION The omission of criteria, notably comorbidities, within the oBDS restricts its functionality to support trial recruitment. Addressing this limitation would enhance its overall effectiveness. Furthermore, the implications of these findings extend beyond Germany, suggesting potential relevance and applicability to oncological datasets globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Luisa Marino
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC Munich LMU), LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Lara Kazmaier
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC Munich LMU), LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Silvia Müller
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC Munich LMU), LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Technical University of Munich Hospital Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Kesting
- Preventive Pediatrics, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Centre, TUM School of Medicine, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Theres Fey
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC Munich LMU), LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Nasseh
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC Munich LMU), LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
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Anderson C, Bucholc M, McClean PL, Zhang SD. The Potential of a Stratified Approach to Drug Repurposing in Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2023; 14:11. [PMID: 38275752 PMCID: PMC10813465 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010011] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition that is characterized by the build-up of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. While multiple theories explaining the aetiology of the disease have been suggested, the underlying cause of the disease is still unknown. Despite this, several modifiable and non-modifiable factors that increase the risk of developing AD have been identified. To date, only eight AD drugs have ever gained regulatory approval, including six symptomatic and two disease-modifying drugs. However, not all are available in all countries and high costs associated with new disease-modifying biologics prevent large proportions of the patient population from accessing them. With the current patient population expected to triple by 2050, it is imperative that new, effective, and affordable drugs become available to patients. Traditional drug development strategies have a 99% failure rate in AD, which is far higher than in other disease areas. Even when a drug does reach the market, additional barriers such as high cost and lack of accessibility prevent patients from benefiting from them. In this review, we discuss how a stratified medicine drug repurposing approach may address some of the limitations and barriers that traditional strategies face in relation to drug development in AD. We believe that novel, stratified drug repurposing studies may expedite the discovery of alternative, effective, and more affordable treatment options for a rapidly expanding patient population in comparison with traditional drug development methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Anderson
- Personalised Medicine Centre, School of Medicine, Altnagelvin Hospital Campus, Ulster University, Glenshane Road, Derry/Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK;
| | - Magda Bucholc
- School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Magee Campus, Ulster University, Northland Road, Derry/Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK
| | - Paula L. McClean
- Personalised Medicine Centre, School of Medicine, Altnagelvin Hospital Campus, Ulster University, Glenshane Road, Derry/Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK;
| | - Shu-Dong Zhang
- Personalised Medicine Centre, School of Medicine, Altnagelvin Hospital Campus, Ulster University, Glenshane Road, Derry/Londonderry BT47 6SB, UK;
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Heyrman B, Meers S, Van De Velde A, Anguille S. Combined Results of Two Cross-Sectional Surveys on the Participation in Clinical Trials and the e-Consent Procedure in the Landscape of Haematology. Clin Pract 2023; 13:1520-1531. [PMID: 38131682 PMCID: PMC10742482 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract13060133] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the motivation of oncology patients to take part in clinical trials, only a minority of them are enrolled in clinical trials. Implementation of new practical procedures can become a barrier that withholds patients from participating in clinical trials. Treating physicians are crucial in augmenting trial accrual. The drivers that promote physicians to allocate patients for clinical trials need further assessment. We conducted two separate cross-sectional surveys, addressing patients with a haematological disease in one survey and haematologists in another survey. The patient survey was filled out by 420 patients. Significant relationships between the willingness to participate in a trial and trial knowledge (p < 0.001) and between doctor-patient relationship and participation willingness (p = 0.007) were noted. Patients above 60 years were less willing to use an electronic consent procedure vs. patients younger than 60 (p < 0.001). The physician questionnaire was completed by 42 participants of whom most (83%) were active in and (94%) motivated for clinical trials. Apart from the patient benefit and scientific interest, prestige was an equal motivator closely followed by financial remunerations. First goal was not to harm the patient. Our study confirms the high willingness of patients for trial participation and the need to rethink the structure of trial organisation. The e-consent procedure is not the method preferred by most patients above 60 years old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Heyrman
- Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen, Department of Haematology, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stef Meers
- Algemeen Ziekenhuis KLINA, Department of Haematology, 2930 Brasschaat, Belgium
| | - Ann Van De Velde
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Anguille
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
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Zhang S, Zhang J, Liu S, Pang H, Stinchcombe TE, Wang X. Enrollment Success, Factors, and Prediction Models in Cancer Trials (2008-2019). JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:1058-1068. [PMID: 37793091 PMCID: PMC10667018 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00147] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the enrollment success rate of cancer clinical trials conducted in 2008-2019 and various factors lowering the enrollment success rate. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study with clinical trial information from the largest registration database ClinicalTrials.gov. Enrollment success rate was defined as actual enrollment greater or equal to 85% of the estimated enrollment goal. The association between trial characteristics and enrollment success was evaluated using the multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 4,004 trials in breast, lung, and colorectal cancers were included. The overall enrollment success rate was 49.1%. Compared with 2008-2010 (51.5%) and 2011-2013 (52.1%), the enrollment success rate is lower in 2014-2016 (46.5%) and 2017-2019 (36.4%). Regression analyses found trial activation year, phase I, phase I/phase II, and phase II (v phase III), sponsor agency of government (v industry), not requiring healthy volunteers, and estimated enrollment of 50-100, 100-200, 200, and >500 (v 0-50) were associated with a lower enrollment success rate (P < .05). However, trials with placebo comparator, ≥5 locations (v 1 location), and a higher number of secondary end points (eg, ≥5 v 0) were associated with a higher enrollment success rate (P < .05). The AUC for prediction of the final logistic regression models for all trials and specific trial groups ranged from 0.69 to 0.76. CONCLUSION This large-scale study supports a lower enrollment success rate over years in cancer clinical trials. Identified factors for enrollment success can be used to develop and improve recruitment strategies for future cancer trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhang
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jianrong Zhang
- Centre for Cancer Research & Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sida Liu
- Department of Statistics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
| | - Herbert Pang
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Thomas E. Stinchcombe
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center, Duke University, Durham, NC
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Corrigan KL, Rooney MK, Kouzy R, Manzar G, Thomas CR, Ludmir EB. Selection and Prejudice: Addressing Clinical Trial Disparities With a Review of Current Shortcomings and Future Directions. Semin Radiat Oncol 2023; 33:367-373. [PMID: 37684066 DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2023.06.002] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence has demonstrated significant, persistent, and widespread disparities in cancer clinical trial enrollment across myriad disease sites and target populations. Although mechanisms underlying such disparities are complex and multifactorial, clinical trial eligibility criteria may serve as a key structural barrier to equitable and diverse trial enrollment. In this review, we provide an overview of the data describing historical and current disparities in cancer clinical trial enrollment and subsequently describe several patient-, institution-, and trial-related factors which appear to be key drivers of enrollment inequity, with specific discussion regarding the impact of eligibility criteria. We further describe the landscape of ongoing professional efforts aimed at eliminating clinical trial disparities through various medical, professional, and advocacy groups. The review concludes with a practical discussion of how modernization of eligibility criteria in clinical trials may decrease or eliminate trial disparities, including specific actionable recommendations aimed at improving the quality of future eligibility criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Corrigan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michael K Rooney
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ramez Kouzy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Gohar Manzar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Charles R Thomas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Center, Lebanon, NH
| | - Ethan B Ludmir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.; Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX..
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Tachezy M, Gebauer F, Yekebas E, Izbicki JR. Failure of a Multi-Centric Clinical Trial Investigating Neoadjuvant Radio-Chemotherapy in Resectable Pancreatic Carcinoma (NEOPA-NCT01900327)-Which Lessons Are Learnt? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4262. [PMID: 37686537 PMCID: PMC10487154 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174262] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant number of clinical trials must be prematurely discontinued due to recruitment failure, and only a small fraction publish results and a failure analysis. Based on our experience on conducting the NEOPA trial on neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic carcinoma (NCT01900327-funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research-BMBF), we performed an analysis of potential reasons for recruitment failure and general problems in conducting clinical trials in Germany. METHODS Systematic analysis of environmental factors, trial history, conducting and funding in the background of the published literature. RESULTS The recruitment failure was based on various study-specific conceptional and local environmental aspects and in peculiarities of the German surgical study culture. General reservations against a neo-adjuvant study concept combined with game changing scientific progresses during the long-lasting planning and funding phase have led to a reduced interest in the trial design and recruitment. CONCLUSIONS Trial planning and conducting should be focused, professionalized and financed on a national basis. Individual interests must be subordinated to reach the goal to perform more relevant and successful clinical trials in Germany. Bureaucratic processes must be further fastened between a trial idea and the start of a study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tachezy
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University-Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.G.); (E.Y.); (J.R.I.)
| | - Florian Gebauer
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University-Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.G.); (E.Y.); (J.R.I.)
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal, 42283 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Emre Yekebas
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University-Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.G.); (E.Y.); (J.R.I.)
| | - Jakob Robert Izbicki
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University-Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (F.G.); (E.Y.); (J.R.I.)
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Febbraro M, Kazemi G, Juergens R, Pond GR. Trainee Evaluations of Preparedness for Clinical Trials in Medical Oncology-A National Questionnaire. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:7627-7637. [PMID: 37623034 PMCID: PMC10453465 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30080553] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A standardized approach to the education of clinical trial investigators across Canadian medical oncology (MO) subspecialty training does not exist. With training programs transitioning to competency-based medical education (CBME), studies assessing education practices and competence are paramount to enhancing trainee education. This study aimed to determine whether current education practices in MO subspecialty training programs in Canada prepare trainees for participating in clinical trials as an investigator. METHODS From November 2021 to February 2022 a national, bilingual, online questionnaire to understand trainee experiences with self-perceived competence, preparedness, and willingness to participate in clinical trials as investigators was conducted. MO trainees, fellows, and new-to-practice physicians who completed an MO subspecialty training program in Canada were included. RESULTS A total of 41 responses were received (response rate: 15%). Formal training in how to participate in clinical trials as an investigator was reported by 73% of respondents. At the end of training, 65% of respondents rated competence in clinical trials as fair/poor and 74% rated preparedness in conducting clinical trials as fair/poor. Correlation analysis determined that in-clinic teaching in clinical trials trended toward improved self-evaluations of competence and preparedness (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION This is the first study in Canada to assess competencies in any residency training program since the establishment of CBME. Training in conducting clinical trials is highly variable across MO programs in Canada, with most trainees finding current practices not translating into self-perceived competence and preparedness. Further assessment into how to produce competent clinical trial investigators is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Febbraro
- Algoma District Cancer Program, Sault Ste Marie, ON P6B 0A8, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Ghazaleh Kazemi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Center, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada
| | - Rosalyn Juergens
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Center, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada
| | - Gregory R. Pond
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Center, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada
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12
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Kirkpatrick AW, Coccolini F, Tolonen M, Minor S, Catena F, Gois E, Doig CJ, Hill MD, Ansaloni L, Chiarugi M, Tartaglia D, Ioannidis O, Sugrue M, Colak E, Hameed SM, Lampela H, Agnoletti V, McKee JL, Garraway N, Sartelli M, Ball CG, Parry NG, Voght K, Julien L, Kroeker J, Roberts DJ, Faris P, Tiruta C, Moore EE, Ammons LA, Anestiadou E, Bendinelli C, Bouliaris K, Carroll R, Ceresoli M, Favi F, Gurrado A, Rezende-Neto J, Isik A, Cremonini C, Strambi S, Koukoulis G, Testini M, Trpcic S, Pasculli A, Picariello E, Abu-Zidan F, Adeyeye A, Augustin G, Alconchel F, Altinel Y, Hernandez Amin LA, Aranda-Narváez JM, Baraket O, Biffl WL, Baiocchi GL, Bonavina L, Brisinda G, Cardinali L, Celotti A, Chaouch M, Chiarello M, Costa G, de'Angelis N, De Manzini N, Delibegovic S, Di Saverio S, De Simone B, Dubuisson V, Fransvea P, Garulli G, Giordano A, Gomes C, Hayati F, Huang J, Ibrahim AF, Huei TJ, Jailani RF, Khan M, Luna AP, Malbrain MLNG, Marwah S, McBeth P, Mihailescu A, Morello A, Mulita F, Murzi V, Mohammad AT, Parmar S, Pak A, Wong MPK, Pantalone D, Podda M, Puccioni C, Rasa K, Ren J, Roscio F, Gonzalez-Sanchez A, Sganga G, Scheiterle M, Slavchev M, Smirnov D, Tosi L, Trivedi A, Vega JAG, Waledziak M, Xenaki S, Winter D, Wu X, Zakaria AD, Zakaria Z. The unrestricted global effort to complete the COOL trial. World J Emerg Surg 2023; 18:33. [PMID: 37170123 PMCID: PMC10173926 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-023-00500-z] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe complicated intra-abdominal sepsis (SCIAS) has an increasing incidence with mortality rates over 80% in some settings. Mortality typically results from disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, progressive and self-perpetuating bio-mediator generation, systemic inflammation, and multiple organ failure. A further therapeutic option may be open abdomen (OA) management with negative peritoneal pressure therapy (NPPT) to remove inflammatory ascites and attenuate the systemic damage from SCIAS, although there are definite risks of leaving the abdomen open whenever it might possibly be closed. This potential therapeutic paradigm is the rationale being assessed in the Closed Or Open after Laparotomy (COOL trial) ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03163095 ). Initially, the COOL trial received Industry sponsorship; however, this funding mandated the use of a specific trademarked and expensive NPPT device in half of the patients allocated to the intervention (open) arm. In August 2022, the 3 M/Acelity Corporation without consultation but within the terms of the contract canceled the financial support of the trial. Although creating financial difficulty, there is now no restriction on specific NPPT devices and removing a cost-prohibitive intervention creates an opportunity to expand the COOL trial to a truly global basis. This document describes the evolution of the COOL trial, with a focus on future opportunities for global growth of the study. METHODS The COOL trial is the largest prospective randomized controlled trial examining the random allocation of SCIAS patients intra-operatively to either formal closure of the fascia or the use of the OA with an application of an NPPT dressing. Patients are eligible if they have free uncontained intraperitoneal contamination and physiologic derangements exemplified by septic shock OR severely adverse predicted clinical outcomes. The primary outcome is intended to definitively inform global practice by conclusively evaluating 90-day survival. Initial recruitment has been lower than hoped but satisfactory, and the COOL steering committee and trial investigators intend with increased global support to continue enrollment until recruitment ensures a definitive answer. DISCUSSION OA is mandated in many cases of SCIAS such as the risk of abdominal compartment syndrome associated with closure, or a planned second look as for example part of "damage control"; however, improved source control (locally and systemically) is the most uncertain indication for an OA. The COOL trial seeks to expand potential sites and proceed with the evaluation of NPPT agnostic to device, to properly examine the hypothesis that this treatment attenuates systemic damage and improves survival. This approach will not affect internal validity and should improve the external validity of any observed results of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION National Institutes of Health ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03163095 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Kirkpatrick
- Departments of Surgery and Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, EG23T2N 2T9, Canada.
| | - Federico Coccolini
- General, Emergency and Trauma Surgery Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matti Tolonen
- Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Samuel Minor
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Fausto Catena
- Department of Surgery, Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | - Emanuel Gois
- Department of Surgery, Londrina State University, and National COOL Coordinator for Brazil, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Christopher J Doig
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Michael D Hill
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary and Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Luca Ansaloni
- General Surgery I, San Matteo Hospital Pavia, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Massimo Chiarugi
- Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Dario Tartaglia
- Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Orestis Ioannidis
- 4th Department of Surgery, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "George Papanikolaou", Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Elif Colak
- University of Samsun, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey
| | - S Morad Hameed
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hanna Lampela
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Espoo, Finland
| | | | - Jessica L McKee
- Global Project Manager, COOL Trial and the TeleMentored Ultrasound Supported Medical Interventions Research Group, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Naisan Garraway
- Departments of Surgery and Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Massimo Sartelli
- Department of Surgery, Macerata Hospital, Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery, Macerata, Italy
| | - Chad G Ball
- Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Foothills Medical Center, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Neil G Parry
- Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kelly Voght
- Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa Julien
- Department of Surgery, NSHA-Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jenna Kroeker
- Departments of Surgery and Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Derek J Roberts
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Ernest E Moore
- Ernest E. Moore Shock Trauma Center, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | - Elissavet Anestiadou
- 4th Department of Surgery, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "George Papanikolaou", Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Bouliaris
- General Surgery Department of Koutlimbaneio, Triantafylleio General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | | | - Marco Ceresoli
- General and Emergency Surgery, School of Medicine and Surgery, Milano-Bicocca University, Monza, Italy
| | - Francesco Favi
- Chirurgia Generale E d'Urgenza, Ospedale M. Bufalini - Cesena, AUSL Della Romagna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Angela Gurrado
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Unit of Academic General Surgery "V. Bonomo", University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Joao Rezende-Neto
- Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arda Isik
- General Surgery Department, Istanbul Medeniyet University School of Medicine Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Camilla Cremonini
- Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silivia Strambi
- Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Georgios Koukoulis
- General Surgery Department of Koutlimbaneio, Triantafylleio General Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Mario Testini
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Unit of Academic General Surgery "V. Bonomo", University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Sandy Trpcic
- Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alessandro Pasculli
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Unit of Academic General Surgery "V. Bonomo", University of Bari "A. Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Erika Picariello
- General Surgery Unit, Ospedale M. Buffalini Di Cesena, Cesena, Italy
| | - Fikri Abu-Zidan
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ademola Adeyeye
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Afe Babalola University Multisystem Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Goran Augustin
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Felipe Alconchel
- Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra. Madrid-Cartagena, S/N, Murcia, Spain
| | - Yuksel Altinel
- Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Luz Adriana Hernandez Amin
- Nurse Master of Nursing, Professor and Coordinator of the teaching-service relationship, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sucre, Sincelejo, Colombia
| | - José Manuel Aranda-Narváez
- Trauma and Emergency Surgery Unit. General, Digestive and Transplantation Surgery Department, University Regional Hospital of Málaga, Malaga, Spain
| | | | | | - Gian Luca Baiocchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luigi Bonavina
- Department of Surgery, University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Brisinda
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Cardinali
- Department of Surgery, General Hospital Madonna del Soccorso, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
| | - Andrea Celotti
- General Surgery Unit, UO Chirurgia Generale - Ospedale Maggiore Di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Mohamed Chaouch
- Department of Visceral and Digestive Surgery, Monastir University, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Maria Chiarello
- Department of Surgery, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Di Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Gianluca Costa
- Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola de'Angelis
- Colorectal and Digestive Surgery Unit-DIGEST Department, Beaujon University Hospital AP-HP, University Paris Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Nicolo De Manzini
- Department of General Surgery, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | - Samir Delibegovic
- Department of Proctology, Clinic for Surgery, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Salomone Di Saverio
- Department of General Surgery, University of Insubria, University Hospital of Varese, ASST Sette Laghi, Regione Lombardia, Italy
| | - Belinda De Simone
- Unit of Digestive and Metabolic Minimally Invasive Surgery, Clinique Saint Louis, Poissy, Poissy, Ile de France, France
- Unit of Emergency and General Surgery, Guastalla Hospital, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Guastalla, Italy
| | - Vincent Dubuisson
- Chirurgie Digestive, Service de Chirurgie Vasculaire Et, Générale University Hospital of Bordeaux FR, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Alessio Giordano
- Emergency and General Consultant Surgeon, Nuovo Ospedale "S. Stefano", Azienda ASL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
| | - Carlos Gomes
- Surgery Unit, Hospital Universitário Terezinha de Jesus, SUPREMA, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Firdaus Hayati
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Jinjian Huang
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | | | | | | | - Mansoor Khan
- General Surgery, University Hospitals, Sussex, UK
| | | | - Manu L N G Malbrain
- First Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- International Fluid Academy, Lovenjoel, Belgium
| | - Sanjay Marwah
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | | | | | - Alessia Morello
- Department of General Surgery, Madonna del Soccorso Hospital - San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy, Italy
| | - Francesk Mulita
- Department of Surgery, General University Hospital of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Valentina Murzi
- Department of Surgical Science, Cagliari State University, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | - Ajay Pak
- Department of General Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - Michael Pak-Kai Wong
- School of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | | | - Mauro Podda
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Cagliari University Hospital, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Caterina Puccioni
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Kemal Rasa
- Department of General Surgery, Hüseyin Kemal Raşa, Anadolu Medical Center, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Jianan Ren
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Francesco Roscio
- Division of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, ASST Valle Olona, Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Antonio Gonzalez-Sanchez
- Trauma and Emergency Surgery Unit. General, Digestive and Transplantation Surgery Department, University Regional Hospital of Málaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Gabriele Sganga
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Maximilian Scheiterle
- Emergency Surgery Unit and Trauma Team, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Dmitry Smirnov
- Department of Surgery, South Ural State Medical University, Chelyabinsk City, Russia
| | - Lorenzo Tosi
- Department of General Surgery, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Sofia Xenaki
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Xiuwen Wu
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Andee Dzulkarnean Zakaria
- Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences and Hospital USM, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Georgetown, Malaysia
| | - Zaidi Zakaria
- Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences and Hospital USM, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Georgetown, Malaysia
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Prang KH, Karanatsios B, Zhang A, Verbunt E, Wong HL, Wong V, Gately L, Tran B, Gibbs P, Kelaher M. "Nothing to lose and the possibility of gaining": a qualitative study on the feasibility and acceptability of registry-based randomised controlled trials among cancer patients and clinicians. Trials 2023; 24:92. [PMID: 36747274 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the "gold standard" for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in clinical research. However, conventional RCTs are typically complex, expensive, and have narrow eligibility criteria, which limits generalisability. Registry-based randomised controlled trials (RRCTs) are an alternative approach that integrates the internal validity of an RCT with the external validity of a clinical registry by recruiting real-world patients and leveraging an existing registry platform for data collection. As RRCT is a novel research design, there has been limited research on the feasibility and acceptability of RRCTs from the patients' and trial team's perspectives. This study aims to explore patients', clinicians', and study coordinators' perspectives towards participation in and conduct of oncology RRCTs in Australia. METHODS Thirty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 cancer patients, 15 clinicians, and 7 study coordinators. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Three overarching themes were identified: (1) enablers and barriers to recruitment and enrolment of patients in RRCTs, (2) experiences of patients participating in RRCTs, and (3) recommendations for the implementation of future RRCTs. For patients, altruism and "trust in the clinician" were key reasons to participate in a RRCT. For clinicians and clinical trial coordinators, the RRCT study design was perceived as "simple and straightforward" but "less exciting" than RCTs. Competition from commercially sponsored RCTs poses challenges for investigator-led RRCTs recruitment, particularly if eligible patient numbers are low. There were limited impacts on patients' treatment experiences and clinicians' clinical workflow given that the RRCTs explored different standards of care. Recommendations to improve the enrolment of patients in RRCTs included generating greater buy-in from clinicians by increasing awareness of RRCTs via education initiatives and broader promotion of the "selling point" of RRCTs and providing monetary compensation to hospitals for enrolling patients. CONCLUSIONS Whilst patients, clinicians, and study coordinators were generally supportive of RRCTs, several barriers to effective RRCT implementation in oncology were identified. Developing strategies to increase acceptance of the methodology by clinicians will help enhance the uptake of RRCTs in Australia and internationally.
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McLennan S, Briel M. A call for error management in academic clinical research. J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 154:208-211. [PMID: 36481252 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart McLennan
- Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Matthias Briel
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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Lander J, Heiberger A, Von Sommoggy J, Schulz AA, Dresch C, Altawil H, Schmitt G, Wirtz MA. Intentional and actional components of engaged participation in public health research studies: qualitative synthesis of a recruitment and retention process into the theory-informed INTACT-RS framework. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:17. [PMID: 36647023 PMCID: PMC9841138 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01838-3] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ensuring motivated and successful study participation is a key challenge in the design and conduct of health research studies. Previously, recruitment barriers and facilitators have been identified mainly from experience, and rarely based on theoretical approaches. We developed a framework of intentional and actional components of engaged participation in public health research studies (INTACT-RS), informed by psychological behavioral models. We aimed a) to identify precise indicators for each framework component and b) to better understand which components and decision processes are essential for study participants. METHODS Within a multicenter research network, we applied various approaches to recruit parents of newborns, pediatricians, and midwives. All recruitment processes were documented from the perspective of both participants and researchers. We used different qualitative and quantitative data material, which we applied in a multistage process according to the basic principles of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS INTACT-RS encompasses pre-intentional, intentional and actional phases with a total of n = 15 components covering all aspects of an individual's involvement with a research study. During intention formation, an understanding of efforts and benefits, why participation is valuable beyond contributing to research, and how others perceive the study, were particularly important to (potential) participants. Subsequently (intentional phase), participants consider how and when participation is compatible with their own resources, ability and availability, and hence seek for close communication with, and flexibility and support from the research team. During and after (initial) participation (actional phase), participants' assessment of whether expectations and interests have been met impact crucial further steps, especially the willingness to continue and to recommend participation to others. A strong topic-wise and or supportive participation interest as well as active, continuous exchange with the researchers appeared to be central determinants of study completion and data validity. CONCLUSIONS A theoretical framework is now available to plan and conduct recruitment of different target groups, which accounts for essential motivational and volitional decision-making processes. Based on empirically specified constructs, possible barriers can be addressed even before the initial recruitment process. Therefore, recommendations for scientific practice have been formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Lander
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Heiberger
- grid.461778.b0000 0000 9752 9146Research Methods in Health Sciences, Faculty for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Education Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julia Von Sommoggy
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763Medical Sociology, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anja Alexandra Schulz
- grid.461778.b0000 0000 9752 9146Research Methods in Health Sciences, Faculty for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Education Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Dresch
- grid.461778.b0000 0000 9752 9146Research Methods in Health Sciences, Faculty for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Education Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hala Altawil
- grid.10423.340000 0000 9529 9877Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Gwendolyn Schmitt
- grid.461778.b0000 0000 9752 9146Public Health & Health Education, Faculty for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Education Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus Antonius Wirtz
- grid.461778.b0000 0000 9752 9146Research Methods in Health Sciences, Faculty for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, University of Education Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Cheng A, Yeoh E, Moh A, Low S, Tan CH, Lam B, Sum CF, Subramaniam T, Lim SC. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus best medical treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults with body mass index between 27 and 32 kg/m 2: A 5-year randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2022; 188:109900. [PMID: 35513159 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2022.109900] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) versus best medical treatment in Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and class I obesity. METHODS In this 5-year single-centre, open-label randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized to RYGB or medical treatment including newer classes of diabetes medications (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02041234). The primary endpoint was diabetes remission defined as HbA1c ≤ 6% (≤42 mmol/mol) and discontinuation of glucose-lowering medication at 12 months post-intervention and beyond. Glycaemia and weight changes were assessed. Continuous glucose monitoring was performed. RESULTS Of 28 subjects randomized, 26 were analyzed in the final cohort (14 medical, 12 RYGB; age:44 ± 10 years, 34.6% males, BMI:29.4 ± 1.6 kg/m2). At 12 months, 50% of RYGB subjects achieved diabetes remission; 83% stopped all glucose-lowering medications. By year 5, 42% were in remission. None attained diabetes remission in the medical group. Percentage declines in fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and BMI were significantly greater in the RYGB arm (all P < 0.05). Early improvements in glycaemic variability and time in range were similar in both treatment arms. Hypoglycaemia and surgical complications were observed in some RYGB subjects. CONCLUSIONS Over 5 years, RYGB outperforms best medical treatment in glycemia and weight improvements for Asians with T2DM and class I obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore.
| | - Ester Yeoh
- Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Angela Moh
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Serena Low
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Chun Hai Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Integrated Centre for Obesity and Diabetes, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Benjamin Lam
- Integrated Centre for Obesity and Diabetes, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Chee Fang Sum
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Tavintharan Subramaniam
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Su Chi Lim
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University Hospital, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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Satalkar P, McLennan S, Elger BS, von Elm E, Matthias B. Investigators' sense of failure thwarted transparency in clinical trials discontinued for poor recruitment. J Clin Epidemiol 2022; 145:136-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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