scholarly journals 32 Quantifying the Prevalence of Frailty in Drug Trials and the Relationship with Serious Adverse Events

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i7-i11
Author(s):  
P Hanlon ◽  
E Butterly ◽  
J Lewsey ◽  
S Siebert ◽  
F S Mair ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Frailty is common in clinical practice, but trials rarely report on participant frailty. Consequently, clinicians and guideline-developers assume frailty is largely absent from trials and have questioned the relevance of trial findings to frail people. Therefore, we examined frailty in phase 3/4 industry-sponsored clinical trials of pharmacological interventions for three exemplar conditions: type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We constructed a 40-item frailty index (FI) in 19 clinical trials (7 T2DM, 8 RA, 4 COPD, mean age 42–65 years) using individual-level participant data. Participants with a FI >0.24 were considered “frail”. Baseline disease severity was assessed using HbA1c for T2DM, Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) for RA, and % predicted FEV1 for COPD. Using generalised gamma regression, we modelled FI on age, sex and disease severity. In negative binomial regression we modelled serious adverse event rates on FI, and combined results for each index condition in a random-effects meta-analysis. Results All trials included frail participants: prevalence 7–21% in T2DM trials, 33–73% in RA trials, and 15–22% in COPD trials. Increased disease severity and female sex were associated with higher FI in all trials. Frailty was associated with age in T2DM and RA trials, but not in COPD. Across all trials, and after adjusting for age, sex, and disease severity, higher FI predicted increased risk of serious adverse events; the pooled incidence rate ratios (per 0.1-point increase in FI scale) were 1.46 (95% CI 1.21–1.75), 1.45 (1.13–1.87) and 1.99 (1.43–2.76) for T2DM, RA and COPD, respectively. Conclusion Frailty is identifiable and prevalent among middle aged and older participants in phase 3/4 drug trials and has clinically important safety implications. Trial data may be harnessed to better understand chronic disease management in people living with frailty.

BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Hanlon ◽  
Elaine Butterly ◽  
Jim Lewsey ◽  
Stefan Siebert ◽  
Frances S. Mair ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Frailty is common in clinical practice, but trials rarely report on participant frailty. Consequently, clinicians and guideline-developers assume frailty is largely absent from trials and have questioned the relevance of trial findings to frail people. Therefore, we examined frailty in phase 3/4 industry-sponsored clinical trials of pharmacological interventions for three exemplar conditions: type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We constructed a 40-item frailty index (FI) in 19 clinical trials (7 T2DM, 8 RA, 4 COPD, mean age 42–65 years) using individual-level participant data. Participants with a FI > 0.24 were considered ‘frail’. Baseline disease severity was assessed using HbA1c for T2DM, Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) for RA, and % predicted FEV1 for COPD. Using generalised gamma regression, we modelled FI on age, sex, and disease severity. In negative binomial regression, we modelled serious adverse event rates on FI and combined results for each index condition in a random-effects meta-analysis. Results All trials included frail participants: prevalence 7–21% in T2DM trials, 33–73% in RA trials, and 15–22% in COPD trials. The 99th centile of the FI ranged between 0.35 and 0.45. Female sex was associated with higher FI in all trials. Increased disease severity was associated with higher FI in RA and COPD, but not T2DM. Frailty was associated with age in T2DM and RA trials, but not in COPD. Across all trials, and after adjusting for age, sex, and disease severity, higher FI predicted increased risk of serious adverse events; the pooled incidence rate ratios (per 0.1-point increase in FI scale) were 1.46 (95% CI 1.21–1.75), 1.45 (1.13–1.87), and 1.99 (1.43–2.76) for T2DM, RA, and COPD, respectively. Conclusion The upper limit of frailty in trials is lower than has been described in the general population. However, mild to moderate frailty was common, suggesting trial data may be harnessed to inform disease management in people living with frailty. Participants with higher FI experienced more serious adverse events, suggesting screening for frailty in trial participants would enable identification of those that merit closer monitoring. Frailty is identifiable and prevalent among middle-aged and older participants in phase 3/4 drug trials and has clinically important safety implications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Xueyi Deng ◽  
Fuqin Kang ◽  
Xueyin Chen ◽  
Jiaqi Lai ◽  
Xuanchen Guan ◽  
...  

Introduction. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) imposes a large burden on economy and society worldwide. In addition to western medicine, multiple kinds of qi-tonifying Chinese medicine injections have been widely used in China as adjunctive treatments. Previous small-sample clinical trials have proven their efficacy in the treatment of AECOPD. However, data on comparative effectiveness and safety of qi-tonifying injections are limited. We conducted this network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of 7 commonly used qi-tonifying injections in patients with AECOPD. Methods. Literature search was conducted through electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang database, and VIP database. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) exploring the efficacy of any of these 7 qi-tonifying injections were included. The primary outcome was lung function (FEV1 and FVC). R 4.0.0 and STATA 12.0 were adopted to perform the network meta-analysis using Bayesian statistics. Results. A total of 36 RCTs involving 2657 participants were included. The results of network meta-analyses indicated that Chuankezhi injection (CKZ) combined with routine treatment (RT) was superior to other qi-tonifying injections combined with RT in terms of FEV1 improvement (MD = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.04). For improving FVC, Shengmai injection (SGM) combined with RT showed the greatest therapeutic effect (MD = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.61). Moreover, SGM combined with RT revealed the best estimates for response rate (MD = 4.00, 95% CI: 1.34, 13.63). The main adverse events in this study were gastrointestinal reactions and injection site reactions. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion. In this network meta-analysis, SGM and CKZ were potential best adjunctive therapies in the treatment of AECOPD.


2005 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim A. Papp ◽  
Charles Camisa ◽  
Stephen P. Stone ◽  
Ivor Caro ◽  
Xiaolin Wang ◽  
...  

Background: The efficacy and safety of efalizumab have been evaluated in multiple clinical trials. ObjectiveThe purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the safety profile of efalizumab during the clinical trials. Methods: Twelve-week data from four placebo-controlled trials were pooled and analyzed. Data from patients receiving 13—60 weeks of efalizumab therapy were pooled to evaluate longer-term safety. Results: The most common adverse events were mild to moderate, self-limiting, flulike symptoms that were most frequent following the first two efalizumab doses; by the third dose the incidence was comparable to placebo. Serious adverse events were observed in 2.2% and 1.7% of efalizumab- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. Nonserious adverse events leading to withdrawal were infrequent and similar to placebo (2.8% vs 1.8%). There does not appear to be increased risk of end-organ toxicity, infection, or malignancy in efalizumab-treated patients. Conclusion: Efalizumab was well tolerated, with a favorable safety profile.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Liliana P. Ferreira ◽  
Núria Santos ◽  
Nuno Fernandes ◽  
Carla Ferreira

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and it is associated with increased mortality. The use of antipsychotics is common among the elderly, especially in those with dementia. Evidence suggests an increased risk of mortality associated with antipsychotic use. Despite the short-term benefit of antipsychotic treatment to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, it increases the risk of mortality in patients with AD. Our aim is to discuss the findings from the literature about risk of mortality associated with the use of antipsychotics in AD.Methods: We searched Internet databases indexed at MEDLINE using following MeSH terms: "Antipsychotic Agents" AND "Alzheimer Disease" OR "Dementia" AND "Mortality" and selected articles published in the last 5 years.Results: Antipsychotics are widely used in the pharmacological treatment of agitation and aggression in elderly patients with AD, but their benefit is limited. Serious adverse events associated with antipsychotics include increased risk of death. The risk of mortality is associated with both typical and atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic polypharmacy is associated with a higher mortality risk than monotherapy and should be avoided. The mortality risk increases after the first few days of treatment, gradually reducing but continues to increase after two years of treatment. Haloperidol is associated with a higher mortality risk and quetiapine with a lower risk than risperidone.Conclusions: If the use of antipsychotics is considered necessary, the lowest effective dose should be chosen and the duration should be limited because the mortality risk remains high with long-term use. The risk / benefit should be considered when choosing the antipsychotic. Further studies on the efficacy and risk of adverse events with antipsychotics are needed for a better choice of treatment and adequate monitoring with risk reduction.


2019 ◽  
pp. 331-340
Author(s):  
Susan Churchill ◽  
◽  
Kayla Deru ◽  
Lindell K. Weaver ◽  
Steffanie H. Wilson ◽  
...  

Safety monitoring and successful blinding are important features of randomized, blinded clinical trials. We report chamber- and protocol-related adverse events (AEs) for participants enrolled in two randomized, double-blind clinical trials of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) for persistent post-concussive symptoms clinicaltrials.gov identifiers NCT01306968, HOPPS, and NCT01611194, BIMA), as well as the success of maintaining the blind with a low-pressure sham control arm. In both studies, participants were randomized to receive HBO2 (1.5 atmospheres absolute, >99% oxygen) or sham chamber sessions (1.2 atmospheres absolute, room air). In 143 participants undergoing 4,245 chamber sessions, chamber-related adverse events were rare (1.1% in the HOPPS study, 2.2% in the BIMA study). Minor, non-limiting barotrauma was the most frequently reported. Rarely, some participants experienced headache with chamber sessions. No serious adverse events were associated with chamber sessions. An allocation questionnaire completed after intervention revealed that the sham control arm adequately protected the blind in both trials. Participants based allocation assumptions on symptom improvement or lack of symptom improvement and could not discern intervention arm by pressure, smell, taste, or gas flow.


2020 ◽  
Vol V (I) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
Syeda Komal Fatima ◽  
Ameena Tur Rasool ◽  
Ayesha Sabir ◽  
Gul Shahnaz

COVID-19 has posed a great threat to mankind, there is a dire need to introduce a vaccine to combat this global pandemic. Several vaccines are underway to complete their phase 3 clinical trials. This article highlights events surrounding the ongoing clinical trials of vaccines effective against COVID-19, and different procedures and formalities the vaccine will have to endure to get EUA. Clinical trials are discussed stepwise along with the clinical endpoint desired at the end of these trials. In line with antimicrobial resistance, vaccine resistance has also emerged in this era and needs focused consideration, and the probability of development of resistance in these vaccines is discussed. This article specifically covers the latest research reporting clinical efficacy, safety profile, and adverse events following the administration of doses to patients and concerns regarding the rushed approval of vaccines. Four vaccines have been discussed in detail; BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, Sputnik V, ChAdOx1.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Mahmoud ◽  
Hannah Ng ◽  
Jade Roberts

Purpose:Tiotropium (SPIRIVA®) is used in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with persistent dyspnea despite using a short acting bronchodilator (SABD).This paper explores the role of tiotropium in the treatment of mild COPD. Methods:The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Pubmed, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched on February 2018.We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated tiotropium in patients with mild COPD.Three authors assessed studies for eligibility. Outcomes included symptoms, quality of life, exercise duration, lung function, COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations, and serious adverse events. Results: Three RCTs were selected as the best available evidence. Based on the results of the main trial, quality of life and symptoms were improved with tiotropium as compared to placebo with a difference between groups at 24 months to be 1.2 (95% CI: 0.5 to 1.9; p=0.0011) using the COPD Assessment test (CAT) score. Frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) requiring hospitalization was reduced by 10.3% (28.9% with tiotropium vs 39.2% with placebo) in patients receiving tiotropium. One RCT reported no statistically significant difference in exercise duration (27 ± 27 secs) in the tiotropium group vs 50 ± 21 secs in the placebo group; (p=0.4153). Oropharyngeal discomfort was more common with tiotropium (number needed to harm of 12) compared to placebo. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that tiotropium may reduce COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations and improve quality of life in patients with mild COPD.There is an increased risk of oropharyngeal discomfort with tiotropium.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1023-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Sami ◽  
Raheleh Sadegh ◽  
Neda Esmailzadehha ◽  
Sanaz Mortazian ◽  
Masoomeh Nazem ◽  
...  

Malnutrition is one of the most important factors that lead to lower quality of life in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are several methods for assessing malnutrition including anthropometric indexes. The aim of this study was to determine the association of anthropometric indexes with disease severity in male patients with COPD in Qazvin, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 72 male patients with COPD in Qazvin, Iran, from May to December 2014. Spirometry was performed for all participants. Disease severity was determined using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline. Body mass index (BMI), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were measured. MAMC and TSF were categorized into three subgroups as <25th P, between 25th P and 75th P, and >75th P (Where P is the abbreviation for percentile.). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and logistic regression analysis. Mean age was 60.23 ± 11.39 years. Mean BMI was 23.23 ± 4.42 Kg/m2, mean MAMC was 28.34 ± 3.72 cm2, and mean TSF was 10.15 ± 6.03 mm. Mean BMI and MAMC in the GOLD stage IV were significantly lower than other stages. Of 72, 18.1% were underweight while 6.9% were obese. The GOLD stage IV was associated with 16 times increased risk of underweight and nine times increased risk of MAMC < 25th P. Disease severity was associated with BMI and MAMC as indexes of malnutrition in patients with COPD in the present study. The GOLD stage IV was associated with increased risk of underweight and low MAMC.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document