Insights
From covariates to confounding factors: the danger of having too many covariates
Clinical trials typically evaluate efficacy of experimental therapies in heterogeneous patient populations, as patient characteristics vary significantly. These patient characteristics might be prognostic factors that ultimately induce variability in clinical trial data. An imbalance in these factors between treatment groups at baseline will increase variability of the estimated treatment effect, ultimately compromising study power and decreasing
Regulatory Guidelines for the Use of Baseline Covariates to Increase Clinical Trial Study Power
Clinical trials data analyses can employ baseline covariates to control for factors that may impact measurement of outcomes – particularly to describe individual patient characteristics that may or may not relate to treatment response. For example, patient age may be used as a baseline covariate to reduce data variability resulting from this factor. The use of baseline
Does the placebo response need to be considered in clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments?
The search for drugs to treat and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection is ongoing, with more than 1200 drugs in the pipeline and more 3,200 clinical trials planned or initiated as of 21 September 2020 (GlobalData). The success of these studies, however, may be at risk due to an invisible threat – the placebo response.
Frequently asked questions about COV-IQ
This webinar aimed to explain the impact of COVID-19 crisis on patient behavior in ongoing clinical trials, introduce the application of COV-IQ technology and describe how it may improve interpretation of clinical trial results. During the webinar, questions from the audience were addressed; the main ones are compiled below.
Pandemic Stress Will Affect Clinical Trial Response: What Can Industry Do?
As one might expect, the life changes are a source of stress, and the data supports this assertion. In fact, a recent analysis by Express Scripts also showed an increase in prescriptions for medications to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia as a result of the pandemic.
The placebo response in drug development. Part 2: Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is common musculoskeletal disease with increased incidence and prevalence associated with aging. It affects around 10 % of the population and is 10 times more common than rheumatoid arthritis (RA).