Repositorio Digital

Resumen en español

Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (covid-19) pandemic has underscored the need to expedite clinical research, which may lead investigators to shift away from measuring patient-important outcomes (PIO), limiting research applicability. We aim to investigate if randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of covid-19 pharmacological thera‑ pies include PIOs. Methods: We will perform a meta-epidemiological study of RCTs that included people at risk for, or with suspected, probable, or confrmed covid-19, examining any pharmacological treatment or blood product aimed at prophylaxis or treatment. We will obtain data from all RCTs identifed in a living network metanalysis (NMA). The main data sources are the living WHO covid-19 database up to 1 March 2021 and six additional Chinese databases up to 20 February 2021. Two reviewers independently will review each citation, full-text article, and abstract data. To categorize the out‑ comes according to their importance to patients, we will adapt a previously defned hierarchy: a) mortality, b) quality of life/ functional status/symptoms, c) morbidity, and d) surrogate outcomes. Outcomes within the category a) and b) will be considered critically important to patients, and outcomes within the category c) will be regarded as important. We will use descriptive statistics to assess the proportion of studies that report each category of outcomes. We will perform univariable and multivariable analysis to explore associations between trial characteristics and the likelihood of reporting PIOs. Discussion: The fndings from this meta-epidemiological study will help health care professionals and researchers understand if the current covid-19 trials are efectively assessing and reporting the outcomes that are important to patients. If a defciency in capturing PIOs is identifed, this information may help inform the development of future RCTs in covid-19. Systematic review registrations: Open Science Framework registration: osf.io/6xgjz.