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Research response to coronavirus disease 2019 needed better coordination and collaboration: a living mapping of

Van Thu Nguyen1, Philippe Rivière2, Pierre Ripoll3

  • 1Université de Paris, Centre of Research Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), Inserm, F-75004 Paris, France; Cochrane France, AP-HP, 75004 Paris, France.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|October 23, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Most COVID-19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were registered after the pandemic

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Research
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Global research efforts focused on finding COVID-19 interventions.
  • Understanding the landscape of clinical trials is crucial for effective pandemic response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the planning and timing of COVID-19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • To evaluate the research questions addressed by registered COVID-19 trials in relation to epidemic progression.

Main Methods:

  • A living mapping of RCTs was conducted using the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.
  • Weekly searches identified all registered RCTs for COVID-19 interventions.
  • An interactive online tool was developed to visualize trial data.

Main Results:

  • By August 12, 2020, 1,568 COVID-19 RCTs were registered globally.
  • The median delay between the first case and first RCT registration was 47 days.
  • Most trials focused on treatments (85%) rather than prevention (14%), with many registered after the epidemic peak.
  • A significant number of trials investigated hydroxychloroquine.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 trials often had small sample sizes and overlapping research questions.
  • The majority of trials commenced after the initial peak of the pandemic, suggesting a delayed research response.
Keywords:
COVID-19Clinical trialLiving mappingMeta-analysisPreventionSystematic reviewTreatment

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