scholarly journals Development of a Core Outcome Set for clinical trials aimed at improving antimicrobial stewardship in care homes

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i15-i16
Author(s):  
H Q Nguyen ◽  
D T Bradley ◽  
M M Tunney ◽  
C M Hughes

Abstract Introduction Diverse outcomes reported in clinical trials to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in care homes has hindered evidence synthesis [1]. We previously reported that a number of outcomes for care home AMS which may be important to healthcare professionals and relatives of care home residents had not been measured in previous trials [2]. It is essential to generate a set of important outcomes (a core outcome set – COS) for future studies of AMS interventions in care homes. Aim To develop a COS for use in clinical trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes. Methods A refined inventory of outcomes for AMS interventions in care homes, compiled from a previous study [2], was presented in a three-round international Delphi consensus survey, followed by an online consensus exercise. Stakeholders engaged in AMS in care homes (e.g. healthcare professionals, representatives of care home residents) were invited to participate, having been identified through the research team’s contacts and knowledge of relevant organisations. A 9-point Likert scale was used during the consensus procedures and an outcome was included in the COS if 80% or more of participants scored between 7 and 9, and 15% or less scored between 1 and 3. Less stringent criteria for inclusion were also applied if the final COS comprised fewer than three outcomes. Subsequently, a suitable outcome measurement instrument (OMI) was selected for each outcome in the COS using the following steps: finding existing OMIs in the literature and consulting with experts, assessing the quality of OMIs, and selecting one OMI for each core outcome via a two-round international Delphi consensus exercise. Consent was obtained from all participants taking part in all consensus procedures. Results The initial inventory of 14 outcomes was presented to 82 international Delphi panellists from 17 countries in the first round who also suggested three additional outcomes. These 17 outcomes were rated again in two further rounds, with consensus achieved for ten outcomes. A subsequent online consensus exercise with twelve participants from Northern Ireland, including the research team, reached consensus to include five outcomes in the COS (Table 1). Regarding selection of OMIs for the COS, 17 OMIs were identified through literature searches and experts’ suggestions. Based on quality assessment, three OMIs - ‘Number of antimicrobial courses started per 1000 resident-days’, ‘Rate of antimicrobial days of therapy per 1000 resident-days’, and ‘Van Buul algorithms to evaluate appropriateness of initiating or withholding antibiotics’ - were selected for a two-round Delphi exercise with 59 participants from 16 countries. Consensus was reached to select two OMIs for the COS, as presented in Table 1. Conclusion This is the first study to develop a COS for use in clinical trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes. Although we recruited few representatives from advocacy groups for older people, care home staff and managers, there was common agreement for inclusion of a number of outcomes. This COS represents the minimum that should be used in research and trialists may consider exploring other outcomes as reported in previous studies. References 1. Nguyen HQ, Tunney MM, Hughes CM. Interventions to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship for Older People in Care Homes: A Systematic Review. Drugs and Aging. 2019;36(4):355–69. 2. Nguyen HQ, Bradley DT, Tunney MM, Hughes CM. Antimicrobial Stewardship in Care Homes: Outcomes of Importance to Stakeholders. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jan 27;104(4):582–91.

Author(s):  
Hoa Q. Nguyen ◽  
Declan T. Bradley ◽  
Michael M. Tunney ◽  
Carmel M. Hughes

Abstract Background Diverse outcomes reported in clinical trials of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions in care homes have hindered evidence synthesis. Our main objective was to develop a core outcome set (COS) for use in trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes. Methods A refined inventory of outcomes for AMS interventions in care homes, compiled from a previous study, was rated in a three-round international Delphi survey with 82 participants, using a nine-point Likert scale (from 1, unimportant, to 9, critical). This was followed by an online consensus exercise with 12 participants from Northern Ireland to finalise the COS content. Subsequently, a suitable outcome measurement instrument (OMI) was selected for each outcome in the COS by: identifying existing OMIs through a literature search and experts’ suggestions, assessing the quality of OMIs, and selecting one OMI for each core outcome via a two-round international Delphi survey with 59 participants. Results Of 14 outcomes initially presented, consensus was reached for inclusion of five outcomes in the COS after the three-round Delphi survey and the online consensus exercise, comprising the total number of antimicrobial courses prescribed, appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing, days of therapy per 1000 resident-days, rate of antimicrobial resistance, and mortality related to infection. Of 17 potential OMIs identified, three were selected for the two-round Delphi exercise after the quality assessment. Consensus was reached for selection of two OMIs for the COS. Conclusion This COS is recommended to be used in clinical trials aimed at improving AMS in care homes.


Author(s):  
Vickram Tejwani ◽  
Hsing-Yuan Chang ◽  
Annie P. Tran ◽  
Jennifer Al Naber ◽  
Florian S. Gutzwiller ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1041-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Humphrey-Murto ◽  
Richard Crew ◽  
Beverley Shea ◽  
Susan J. Bartlett ◽  
Lyn March ◽  
...  

Objective.Developing international consensus on outcome measures for clinical trials is challenging. The following paper will review consensus building in Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT), with a focus on the Delphi.Methods.Based on the literature and feedback from delegates at OMERACT 2018, a set of recommendations is provided in the form of the OMERACT Delphi Consensus Checklist.Results.The OMERACT delegates generally supported the use of the checklist as a guide. The checklist provides guidance for clearly outlining the multiple aspects of the Delphi process.Conclusion.OMERACT is deeply committed to consensus building and these recommendations should be considered a work in progress.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria Eleftheriadou ◽  
Kim Thomas ◽  
Nanja van Geel ◽  
Iltefat Hamzavi ◽  
Henry Lim ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Bianca Y. Kang ◽  
Sarah A. Ibrahim ◽  
Divya Shokeen ◽  
Daniel I. Schlessinger ◽  
Jamie J. Kirkham ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 617-622
Author(s):  
Sadé Assmann ◽  
Daniel Keszthelyi ◽  
Jos Kleijnen ◽  
Merel Kimman ◽  
Foteini Anastasiou ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Faecal incontinence (FI) is estimated to affect around 7.7% of people. There is a lack of uniformity in outcome definitions, measurement and reporting in FI studies. Until now, there is no general consensus on which outcomes should be assessed and reported in FI research. This complicates comparison between studies and evidence synthesis, potentially leading to recommendations not evidence-based enough to guide physicians in selecting an FI therapy. A solution for this lack of uniformity in reporting of outcomes is the development of a Core Outcome Set (COS) for FI. This paper describes the protocol for the development of a European COS for FI. Methods Patient interviews and a systematic review of the literature will be performed to identify patient-, physician- and researcher-oriented outcomes. The outcomes will be categorised using the COMET taxonomy and put forward to a group of patients, physicians (i.e. colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and general practitioners) and researchers in a Delphi consensus exercise. This exercise will consist of up to three web-based rounds in which participants will prioritise and condense the list of outcomes, which is expected to result in consensus. A consensus meeting with participants from all stakeholder groups will take place to reach a final agreement on the COS. Discussion This study protocol describes the development of a European COS to improve reliability and consistency of outcome reporting in FI studies, thereby improving evidence synthesis and patient care. Trial registration This project has been registered in the COMET database on the 1st of April 2020, available at http://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1554. The systematic review has been registered on the PROSPERO database on the 31st of August 2020, available at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=202020&VersionID=1381336.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1904-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Ma ◽  
Claire E. Parker ◽  
Tran M. Nguyen ◽  
Reena Khanna ◽  
Brian G. Feagan ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina M Lang ◽  
Kathryn L. Harrison ◽  
Paula R. Williamson ◽  
Brian J.P. Huntly ◽  
Gert Ossenkoppele ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common acute leukemia in adults with an unacceptably low cure rate. In recent years a number of new treatment strategies and compounds were developed for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. There were several randomized, controlled clinical trials with the objective to improve patients’ management and patients’ outcome in acute myeloid leukemia. Unfortunately, these trials are not always directly comparable, as they do not measure the same outcomes and currently there are no core outcome sets that can be utilized to guide outcome selection and harmonization in this disease area. The HARMONY Alliance is a public-private European Network established in 2017, which currently includes 53 partners and 32 associated members from 22 countries. Amongst many other goals of the HARMONY Alliance, Work Package 2 focuses on defining outcomes that are relevant to each hematological malignancy. In accordance, a pilot study will be performed to define core outcome set in acute myeloid leukemia. Methods The pilot study will use a three-round Delphi survey and a final consensus meeting to define a core outcome set. Participants will be recruited from different stakeholder groups, including patients, clinicians, regulators and members of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). At the pre-Delphi stage a literature research was conducted followed by several semi-structured interviews of clinical public and private key opinion leaders. Subsequently the preliminary outcome list was discussed in several multi-stakeholder face-to-face meetings. The Delphi survey will reduce the preliminary outcome list to essential core outcomes. After completing the last Delphi round a final face-to-face meeting is planned to achieve consensus about core outcome set in acute myeloid leukemia. Discussion The pilot Delphi as part of HARMONY Alliance aims to define a core outcome set in acute myeloid leukemia based on a multi-stakeholder consensus. Such a core outcome set will help to allow consistent comparison of future clinical trials and real world evidence research and ensures that appropriate outcomes valued by a range of stakeholders are measured within future trials.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Craig ◽  
Franz E Babl ◽  
Stuart R Dalziel ◽  
Charmaine Gray ◽  
Colin Powell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Acute severe childhood asthma is an infrequent, but potentially life-threatening emergency presentation. There is a wide range of different approaches to this condition, with very little supporting evidence, leading to significant variation in practice. To improve knowledge in this area, there must first be consensus on how to conduct clinical trials, so that valid comparisons can be made between future studies. We have formed an international working group comprising paediatricians and emergency physicians from North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Central America, Australasia and the United Kingdom. Methods / design. A five-stage approach will be used: (1) A comprehensive list of outcomes relevant to stakeholders will be compiled through systematic reviews and qualitative interviews with patients, families, and clinicians; (2) A Delphi methodology will be applied to reduce the comprehensive list to a core outcome set; (3) We will review current clinical practice guidelines, existing clinical trials, and literature regarding bedside assessment of asthma severity. We will then identify practice differences in clinical assessment of asthma severity, and determine whether further prospective work is needed to achieve agreement on inclusion criteria for clinical trials on acute paediatric asthma in the emergency department setting; (4) A retrospective chart review in Australia and New Zealand will identify the incidence of serious clinical complications in children hospitalized with acute severe asthma, such as intubation, ICU admission, and death. Understanding the incidence of such outcomes will allow us to understand how common (and therefore how feasible) particular outcomes are in an asthma ED population; (5) Finally, a meeting of the PERN asthma working group will be held, with invitation of other clinicians interested in acute asthma research, and patients / families. The group will be asked to achieve consensus on a core set of outcomes and to make recommendations for the conduct of clinical trials on acute severe asthma. If this is not possible, the group will agree on a series of prioritized steps to achieve this aim. Discussion The development of an international consensus on core outcomes is an important first step towards the development of consensus guidelines and standardised protocols for RCTs in this population. This will enable us to better interpret and compare future studies, reduce risks of study heterogeneity and outcome reporting bias, and improve the evidence base for the management of this important condition.


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