Journal of clinical epidemiology · 2023
Gynecological trials frequently exclude people based on their symptoms rather than their condition: a systematic review of Cochrane reviews and their component trials.
Систематический обзорСтатьяНазвание и аннотация: Перевод пока не подготовлен
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Stocking Katie, Watson Andrew, Kirkham Jamie J, Wilkinson Jack, Vail Andy
Аннотация
OBJECTIVES: To identify strategies used in recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and their associated Cochrane Reviews where patients with the same gynecological condition present with different symptoms but would plausibly benefit from a common intervention.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We searched the Cochrane library (February 2022) for reviews in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Reviews were included if the intervention was intended to treat all condition-specific symptoms. For each trial we recorded the strategy used and the number of potentially eligible participants excluded as a direct result of the chosen strategy. For each review we recorded the numbers of RCTs and participants excluded on the basis of symptoms experienced.
RESULTS: There were 89 distinct PCOS trials in 13 reviews, and 13 Endometriosis trials in 11 reviews. Most trials restricted their eligibility to participants with specific symptoms (55% PCOS, 46% endometriosis). The second most common strategy was to measure and analyze clinical outcomes that were not relevant to all participants (38% PCOS, 31% endometriosis). Reviews excluded 27% of trials in participants evaluating the same intervention in participants experiencing the same condition based on the outcomes measured in the trials.
CONCLUSION: Most gynecological trials exclude patients who could benefit from treatment or measure outcomes not relevant to all participants. We introduce a taxonomy to describe trial design strategies for conditions with heterogeneous symptoms.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We searched the Cochrane library (February 2022) for reviews in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Reviews were included if the intervention was intended to treat all condition-specific symptoms. For each trial we recorded the strategy used and the number of potentially eligible participants excluded as a direct result of the chosen strategy. For each review we recorded the numbers of RCTs and participants excluded on the basis of symptoms experienced.
RESULTS: There were 89 distinct PCOS trials in 13 reviews, and 13 Endometriosis trials in 11 reviews. Most trials restricted their eligibility to participants with specific symptoms (55% PCOS, 46% endometriosis). The second most common strategy was to measure and analyze clinical outcomes that were not relevant to all participants (38% PCOS, 31% endometriosis). Reviews excluded 27% of trials in participants evaluating the same intervention in participants experiencing the same condition based on the outcomes measured in the trials.
CONCLUSION: Most gynecological trials exclude patients who could benefit from treatment or measure outcomes not relevant to all participants. We introduce a taxonomy to describe trial design strategies for conditions with heterogeneous symptoms.