Abstract 3622: End of Trial Period for Randomized Controlled Cardiology Trials: Is patient safety monitored and protected?

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad I Zia ◽  
Ronald Heslegrave ◽  
Gary E Newton
Keyword(s):  
Study Drug ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Trial Participation ◽  
List Type ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Trial Period ◽  
Study Drug Administration ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Post Trial

Background: The post trial period is the period after the end of study drug administration. The Declaration of Helsinki (DOH) states that “at the conclusion of the study, every patient entered into the study should be assured of access to the best proven prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic methods identified by the study.” It further adds that “post trial access arrangements or other care must be described in the study protocol so the ethical review committee may consider such arrangements during its review.” Therefore our objectives were: to determine whether research trial protocols systematically consider post trial period issues including planned follow-up and patient surveillance in the post trial period; and to assess if consent forms addressed end of trial issues. Methods: We searched the research ethics board (REB) databases at 2 academic institutions in Toronto from 1995 to 2006 to identify approved randomized clinical trials of chronic medical therapies for cardiac conditions. Results: Fourty-two studies were identified including 18 heart failure and 15 coronary artery disease trials. Thirty-eight of these trials were industry funded. Almost all trials (n=37) ended study drug abruptly at the last clinic visit, while only 4 studies offered a clinical visit post trial termination, and an additional 3 reported a telephone contact after trial completion. Only 5 trials submitted consent forms to the REB with a discussion of the post trial period. After REB review, no additional consent forms addressed the post trial period. When comparing the time period before and after the updated version of the DOH in 2000, there was a trend towards a decline in addressing post trial care (p=0.08). Conclusion: The majority of cardiac trials end study drug abruptly with unknown and potentially negative consequences, and most patients have no systematic post trial follow up from trial investigators. Study patients are also not made aware of the post trial period, as the majority of study consent forms do not discuss post trial care. Therefore, an important aspect of clinical trial design, the post trial period, could be improved by systematic follow-up described in the protocol, and full discussion of this aspect of trial participation in the consent form.

Economic evaluation of DVd versus VAd in the treatment of multiple myeloma: Results from a phase III multicenter randomized clinical trial

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6050-6050
Author(s):  
R. M. Rifkin ◽  
M. Hussein ◽  
R. Iskandar ◽  
A. O’Sullivan ◽  
D. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Study Drug ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Study Drug Administration ◽  
Reduced Dose ◽  
Hospitalization Costs

6050 Background: A randomized Phase III clinical trial of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, vincristine, and reduced-dose dexamethasone (DVd) versus conventional doxorubicin, vincristine, and reduced-dose dexamethasone (VAd) found similar efficacy in the treatment of newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (Cancer, in press). However, observed clinical advantages of DVd included less toxicity and supportive care. (Cancer In press). Methods: This economic evaluation was conducted as a piggyback to the clinical trial. Utilization data were collected prospectively for enrolled patients (DVd = 97; VAd = 95). Costs were estimated by applying standard US unit costs in 2004 to observed utilization. We compared resource utilization and costs for study drug administration, other care (hospitalizations due to AEs, tests, transfusions, and concomitant medications), and total costs during follow-up for patients receiving DVd versus VAd using 2-sided t-tests. Results: DVd patients required significantly fewer hospital (1.5 vs 8.5; p < 0.01) and clinic days (4.8 vs 14.4; p < 0.01) for study drug administration. Costs of study drug were significantly higher for DVd patients ($16,181 vs $788; p < 0.01), but lower hospitalization costs ($3,311 vs $18,492; p < 0.01) and clinic costs ($797 vs $2,412; p < 0.01) for drug administration more than offset these costs, resulting in nominally lower overall study drug administration costs for DVd versus VAd ($20,289 vs $21,692; p = 0.64). No other component of care differed significantly between the two groups (costs of other care: $14,152 for DVd vs $14,154 for VAd; p = 0.99) and overall treatment costs ($34,442 for DVd vs $35,846 for VAd; p = 0.76) were similar in the two groups. DVd patients had approximately 10 additional days of follow-up over the trial period (149.4 vs 139.2) versus VAd patients. Conclusions: Despite higher drug acquisition costs, use of DVd did not increase the overall cost of treatment compared to VAd. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Homeopathy for Covid-19 in Primary Care: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ubiratan Cardinalli Adler ◽  
Maristela Schiabel Adler ◽  
Livia Mitchiguian Hotta ◽  
Ana Elisa Madureira Padula ◽  
Amarilys de Toledo Cesar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
List Type ◽  
Study Medication ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Care Protocol ◽  
Full Protocol ◽  
Isolation Period

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effectiveness and safety of homeopathic medicine Natrum muriaticum (LM2) for mild cases of COVID-19 in Primary Health Care. Trial design A randomized, two-armed (1:1), parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is being performed to test the following hypotheses: H0: homeopathic medicines = placebo (null hypothesis) vs. H1: homeopathic medicines ≠ placebo (alternative hypothesis) for mild cases of COVID-19 in Primary Care. Participants Setting: Primary Care of São Carlos – São Paulo – Brazil. One hundred participants aged 18 years or older, with Influenza-like symptoms and a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Willingness to give informed consent and to comply with the study procedures is also required. Exclusion criterium: severe acute respiratory syndrome. Intervention and comparator Homeopathy: 1 globule of Natrum muriaticum LM2 diluted in 20 mL of alcohol 30% and dispensed in a 30 ml bottle. Placebo: 20 mL of alcohol 30% dispensed in a 30 ml bottle. Posology: one drop taken orally every 4 hours (6 doses/day) while there is fever, cough, tiredness, or pain (headache, sore throat, muscle aches, chest pain, etc.) followed by one drop every 6 hours (4 doses/day) until the fourteenth day of use. The bottle of study medication should be submitted to 10 vigorous shakes (succussions) before each dose. Posology may be changed by telemedicine, with no break in blinding. Study medication should be maintained during home isolation. According to the Primary Care protocol, the home isolation period lasts until the 10th day after the appearance of the first symptom, or up to 72 hours without symptoms. Main outcomes The primary endpoint will be time to recovery, defined as the number of days elapsed before all COVID-19 Influenza-like symptoms are recorded as mild or absent during home isolation period. Secondary measures are recovery time for each COVID-19 symptom; score of the scale created for the study (COVID-Simile Scale); medicines used during follow-up; number of days of follow-up; number of visits to emergency services; number of hospitalizations; other symptoms and Adverse Events during home isolation period. Randomisation The study Statistician generated a block randomization list, using a 1:1 ratio of the two groups (denoted as A and B) and a web-based tool (http://www.random.org/lists). Blinding (masking) The clinical investigators, the statistician, the Primary Care teams, the study collaborators, and the participants will remain blinded from the identity of the two treatment groups until the end of the study. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) One hundred participants are planned to be randomized (1:1) to placebo (50) or homeopathy (50). Trial Status Protocol version/date May 21, 2020. Recruitment is ongoing. First participant was recruited/included on June 29,2020. Due to recruitment adaptations to Primary Care changes, the authors anticipate the trial will finish recruiting on April 10, 2021. Trial registration COVID-Simile Study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN - https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm) on June 1st, 2020, and the trial start date was June 15, 2020. Unique ID: UMIN000040602. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

scholarly journals Detection of adverse drug events in e-prescribing and administrative health data: a validation study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Habib ◽  
Robyn Tamblyn ◽  
Nadyne Girard ◽  
Tewodros Eguale ◽  
Allen Huang
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Data ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
Study Drug ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Diagnostic Code ◽  
Administrative Health Data ◽  
Potential Ades ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Background Administrative health data are increasingly used to detect adverse drug events (ADEs). However, the few studies evaluating diagnostic codes for ADE detection demonstrated low sensitivity, likely due to narrow code sets, physician under-recognition of ADEs, and underreporting in administrative data. The objective of this study was to determine if combining an expanded ICD code set in administrative data with e-prescribing data improves ADE detection. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study among patients newly prescribed antidepressant or antihypertensive medication in primary care and followed for 2 months. Gold standard ADEs were defined as patient-reported symptoms adjudicated as medication-related by a clinical expert. Potential ADEs in administrative data were defined as physician, ED, or hospital visits during follow-up for known adverse effects of the study medication, as identified by ICD codes. Potential ADEs in e-prescribing data were defined as study drug discontinuations or dose changes made during follow-up for safety or effectiveness reasons. Results Of 688 study participants, 445 (64.7%) were female and mean age was 64.2 (SD 13.9). The study drug for 386 (56.1%) patients was an antihypertensive, and for 302 (43.9%) an antidepressant. Using the gold standard definition, 114 (16.6%) patients experienced an ADE, with 40 (10.4%) among antihypertensive users and 74 (24.5%) among antidepressant users. The sensitivity of the expanded ICD code set was 7.0%, of e-prescribing data 9.7%, and of the two combined 14.0%. Specificities were high (86.0–95.0%). The sensitivity of the combined approach increased to 25.8% when analysis was restricted to the 27% of patients who indicated having reported symptoms to a physician. Conclusion Combining an expanded diagnostic code set with e-prescribing data improves ADE detection. As few patients report symptoms to their physician, higher detection rates may be achieved by collecting patient-reported outcomes via emerging digital technologies such as patient portals and mHealth applications.

How Do Public Service Professionals Behave in Risky Situations? The Importance of Organizational Culture

2021 ◽  
pp. 027507402110103
Author(s):  
Emily Rose Tangsgaard
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Organizational Cultures ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Subsequent Behavior ◽  
Hospital Wards

Many situations in public service delivery are characterized by uncertainty about the potential negative consequences following decisions. These risky situations make the behavior of frontline professionals particularly important. But what shapes the risk perception and subsequent behavior of frontline professionals in risky situations? This article explores the idea that organizational culture provides part of the answer. To examine this, a comprehensive qualitative study with participant observations and interviews at five public hospital wards was conducted. The findings demonstrate the importance of organizational culture on risk perception and behavior in risky situations. Basic cultural assumptions related to professional discussion, administering medicine, grading of adverse events, and prioritizing follow-up activities matter to behavior in risky situations. In organizational cultures with high levels of trust and dialogue about decision-making, the health professionals rely on each other and ask for second opinions, when making decisions in risky situations. Conversely, in organizational cultures with little trust and professional discussion, the health professionals are less likely to ask for second opinions and follow up on risky situations, which increases the possibility of unintended, negative consequences. In this way, organizational culture can be a driver of risk-reducing and risk-seeking behavior among frontline professionals.

scholarly journals Inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis: contribution of bacterial production of long-chain fatty acids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Felton ◽  
Aszia Burrell ◽  
Hollis Chaney ◽  
Iman Sami ◽  
Anastassios C. Koumbourlis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Bacterial Production ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Achromobacter Xylosoxidans ◽  
List Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Long Chain

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects >70,000 people worldwide, yet the microbiologic trigger for pulmonary exacerbations (PExs) remains unknown. The objective of this study was to identify changes in bacterial metabolic pathways associated with clinical status. Methods Respiratory samples were collected at hospital admission for PEx, end of intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment, and follow-up from 27 hospitalized children with CF. Bacterial DNA was extracted and shotgun DNA sequencing was performed. MetaPhlAn2 and HUMAnN2 were used to evaluate bacterial taxonomic and pathway relative abundance, while DESeq2 was used to evaluate differential abundance based on clinical status. Results The mean age of study participants was 10 years; 85% received combination IV antibiotic therapy (beta-lactam plus a second agent). Long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) biosynthesis pathways were upregulated in follow-up samples compared to end of treatment: gondoate (p = 0.012), oleate (p = 0.048), palmitoleate (p = 0.043), and pathways of fatty acid elongation (p = 0.012). Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Escherichia sp. were also more prevalent in follow-up compared to PEx (p < 0.001). Conclusions LCFAs may be associated with persistent infection of opportunistic pathogens. Future studies should more closely investigate the role of LCFA production by lung bacteria in the transition from baseline wellness to PEx in persons with CF. Impact Increased levels of LCFAs are found after IV antibiotic treatment in persons with CF. LCFAs have previously been associated with increased lung inflammation in asthma. This is the first report of LCFAs in the airway of persons with CF. This research provides support that bacterial production of LCFAs may be a contributor to inflammation in persons with CF. Future studies should evaluate LCFAs as predictors of future PExs.

scholarly journals Recommendations for improving follow-up care for patients with mesothelioma: a qualitative study comprising documentary analysis, interviews and consultation meetings

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e040679
Author(s):  
Catherine Henshall ◽  
Zoe Davey ◽  
Helen Walthall ◽  
Hannah Ball ◽  
Mitra Shahidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Trial Participation ◽  
Care Pathways ◽  
Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Tertiary Centre ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
Recommendations For Practice

ObjectivesThe study aim was to explore experiences of patients with pleural mesothelioma of follow-up care in three National Health Service (NHS) Trusts to develop recommendations for practice.DesignThe study design was qualitative and comprised three interlinked phases: a documentary analysis, interviews and consultation meetings. Altheide and Johnson’s Analytic Realism theoretical framework guided the thematic data analysis process.SettingThe study was conducted in three NHS Trusts in South England. Two were secondary care settings and the third was a tertiary centre.ParticipantsThe secondary care trusts saw 15–20 patients with new mesothelioma per year and the tertiary centre 30–40. The tertiary centre had a designated mesothelioma team. Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria: >18 years, mesothelioma diagnosis and in follow-up care. Non-English speaking participants, those unable to provide written informed consent or those whom the clinical team felt would find participation too distressing were excluded. All participants were white, 71% were 70–79 years old and 71% were men. Three consultation meetings were conducted with key stakeholders including mesothelioma nurse specialists, patients with mesothelioma, carers and local clinical commissioning group members.Main outcome measuresSpecific outcomes were to gain a detailed understanding of mesothelioma follow-up care pathways and processes and to develop coproduced recommendations for practice.ResultsMesothelioma pathways were not always distinct from lung cancer care pathways. All trusts provided follow-up information and resources but there was varied information on how to access local support groups, research or clinical trial participation. Five themes were developed relating to people; processes; places; purpose and perception of care. Coproduced recommendations for improving mesothelioma follow-up pathways were developed following the consultation meetings.ConclusionsThis study has developed recommendations which identify the need for patients with pleural mesothelioma to access consistent, specialist, streamlined mesothelioma care, centred around specialist mesothelioma nurses and respiratory consultants, with input from the wider multidisciplinary team.

429 Long-term analysis of MASTERKEY-265 phase 1b trial of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) plus pembrolizumab in patients with unresectable stage IIIB-IVM1c melanoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A454-A454
Author(s):  
Georgina Long ◽  
Reinhard Dummer ◽  
Douglas Johnson ◽  
Olivier Michielin ◽  
Salvador Martin-Algarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Stage Iiib ◽  
List Type ◽  
Talimogene Laherparepvec ◽  
Unresectable Stage ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Phase 1B

BackgroundPrevious findings from the MASTERKEY-265 phase 1b study showed that the combination of T-VEC and pembrolizumab was well tolerated and produced a high complete response (CR) rate of 43% in patients with advanced melanoma.1 The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates at that time were 53.6% and 71%, respectively. Here, we report the results of the long-term follow-up efficacy analyses.MethodsThe MASTERKEY-265 phase 1b trial (NCT02263508) was an open-label, single-arm study that enrolled patients who had unresectable, stage IIIB-IVM1c melanoma with injectable, measurable lesions and no prior systemic treatment. T-VEC was administered intralesionally at the approved dosing starting day 1 of week 1. Pembrolizumab (200 mg) was administered intravenously Q2W beginning on day 1 of week 6. The maximum treatment period was 2 years. The primary endpoint was dose-limiting toxicities; key secondary endpoints included objective response rate and PFS per modified irRC, OS, and safety.ResultsAs of the data cutoff (Mar 2, 2020), all 21 patients enrolled were off treatment; 6 died and 15 are in long-term follow-up. The median follow-up time was 58.6 months (range: 1.4–61.6). The CR rate remained 43% (9/21 patients). Twelve of the 13 responders (92.3%) are still in response, including all 9 patients with a CR. Median duration of response was not reached (range: 2.8+–54.3+ months). Median PFS and OS were not reached at the data cutoff. KM estimates of 4-year PFS and OS rates were 55.9% and 71.4%, respectively, which have held stable since the 3-year analysis. Patients who achieved a CR or partial response had better OS (p=0.0056) compared to those who did not respond. Median OS for non-responders was 24.4 months and was not reached for responders. No additional safety signals were detected.ConclusionsAt almost 5 years of follow-up, median PFS and OS were not reached for patients treated with the combination of T-VEC and pembrolizumab in this phase 1b study of unresectable metastatic melanoma. 92% of responders remained in response with improved OS observed in responders compared with non-responders. The corresponding randomized phase 3 trial has completed enrollment and is currently ongoing.Trial RegistrationNCT02263508Ethics ApprovalThe study was approved by the Ethics Board of each institution involved in this study and can be produced upon request.ReferenceLong G, Dummer R, Andtbacka R, et al. Follow-up analysis of MASTERKEY-265 Phase 1b (ph1b) trial of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in combination (combo) with pembrolizumab (pembro) in patients (pts) with unresectable stage IIIB–IVM1c melanoma (MEL). Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2019;32:133–134.

scholarly journals Continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion in type 1 diabetes: a 6-year post-trial follow-up

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R van Dijk ◽  
Susan JJ Logtenberg ◽  
Klaas H Groenier ◽  
Rijk OB Gans ◽  
Nanne Kleefstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Insulin Infusion ◽  
Intraperitoneal Insulin ◽  
Post Trial

scholarly journals Neonates with Maternal Colonization of Carbapenemase-Producing, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae: A Mini-Review and a Suggested Guide for Preventing Neonatal Infection

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Judy Seesahai ◽  
Paige Terrien Church ◽  
Elizabeth Asztalos ◽  
Melanee Eng-Chong ◽  
Jo Arbus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Neonatal Infection ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Carbapenemase-producing, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CP-CRE) are highly drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. They include New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM)-producing carbapenemase (50.4% of all species in Ontario). Antibiotic challenges for resistant bacteria in neonates pose challenges of unknown dosing and side effects. We report two antenatally diagnosed CP-CRE colonization scenarios with the NDM 1 gene. The case involves extreme preterm twins who had worsening respiratory distress at birth requiring ventilator support, with the first twin also having cardiovascular instability. They were screened for CP-CRE, and a polymyxin antibiotic commenced. In the delivery room, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the follow-up clinic, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary group, contact precautions and isolation procedures were instituted. None of the infants exhibited infection with CP-CRE. Consolidating knowledge with regard to CP-CRE and modifying human behavior associated with its spread can mitigate potential negative consequences. This relates to now and later, when travel and prolific human to human contact resumes, from endemic countries, after the current COVID-19 pandemic. Standardized efforts to curb the acquisition of this infection would be judicious given the challenges of treatment and continued emerging antibiotic resistance. Simple infection control measures involving contact precautions, staff education and parental cohorting can be useful and cost-effective in preventing transmission. Attention to NICU specific measures, including screening of at-risk mothers (invitro fertilization conception) and their probands, careful handling of breastmilk, judicious antibiotic choice and duration of treatment, is warranted. What does this study add? CP-CRE is a nosocomial infection with increasing incidence globally, and a serious threat to public health, making it likely that these cases will present with greater frequency to the NICU team. Only a few similar cases have been reported in the neonatal literature. Current published guidelines provide a framework for general hospital management. Still, they are not specific to the NICU experience and the need to manage the parents’ exposure and the infants. This article provides a holistic framework for managing confirmed or suspected cases of CP-CRE from the antenatal care through the NICU and into the follow-up clinic targeted at preventing or containing the spread of CP-CRE.

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