Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 28, 2020

Characteristics and Strength of Evidence of COVID-19 Studies Registered on ClinicalTrials.Gov

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  • An assessment of COVID-19-related studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov found that only 29% would have the potential to result in the highest level of individual study evidence (Oxford Centre for Evidence [OCEBM] level 2). Pundi et al. report on COVID-19–related studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of May 19, 2020, excluding withdrawn, suspended, terminated, or expanded-access studies (n=1,551 studies, 911 interventional). Primary outcome pertained to clinical course, including mortality (33%), ventilation requirement (27%), and treatment complications (23%). Of the 664 RCTs, blinding was reported for 55%, placebo control for 29%, planned enrollment of more than 100 participants for 36%, and two or more study centers for 17%.  

Pundi et al. (July 27, 2020). Characteristics and Strength of Evidence of COVID-19 Studies Registered on ClinicalTrials.Gov. JAMA Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2904