Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review
Abstract Background In sequential and adaptive trials, the delay that happens after the trial is stopped, by a predetermined stopping criterion, takes the name of overrunning. Overrunning consists of extra data, collected by investigators while awaiting results of the interim analysis (IA). The incl...
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doaj-fb7d2b0d86f242c0989c9582729ab7d02020-11-25T03:29:04ZengBMCTrials1745-62152020-07-0121111010.1186/s13063-020-04526-5Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological reviewIleana Baldi0Danila Azzolina1Nicola Soriani2Beatrice Barbetta3Paola Vaghi4Giampaolo Giacovelli5Paola Berchialla6Dario Gregori7Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of PaduaUnit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of PaduaUnit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of PaduaDepartment of Biostatistics, Rottapharm BiotechDepartment of Biostatistics, Rottapharm BiotechDepartment of Biostatistics, Rottapharm BiotechDepartment of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of TorinoUnit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of PaduaAbstract Background In sequential and adaptive trials, the delay that happens after the trial is stopped, by a predetermined stopping criterion, takes the name of overrunning. Overrunning consists of extra data, collected by investigators while awaiting results of the interim analysis (IA). The inclusion of such extra data in the analyses is scientifically appropriate and follows regulatory advice. Nevertheless, its effect from a broader perspective is unclear. Methods This article aims at clarifying the overall impact of including such overrunning data, providing first a revision, and then a comparison of the several approaches proposed in the literature for treating such data. A simulation study is performed based on two real-life examples. Results The paper shows that overrunning inclusion could seriously change the decision of an early conclusion of the study. It also shows that some of the methods proposed in the literature to include overrunning data are more conservative than others. Conclusion The choice of a more or a less conservative method could be considered more appropriate depending on the endpoint type or the design type.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-020-04526-5OverrunningDeletion methodCombining p valuesRepeated confidence interval |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ileana Baldi Danila Azzolina Nicola Soriani Beatrice Barbetta Paola Vaghi Giampaolo Giacovelli Paola Berchialla Dario Gregori |
spellingShingle |
Ileana Baldi Danila Azzolina Nicola Soriani Beatrice Barbetta Paola Vaghi Giampaolo Giacovelli Paola Berchialla Dario Gregori Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review Trials Overrunning Deletion method Combining p values Repeated confidence interval |
author_facet |
Ileana Baldi Danila Azzolina Nicola Soriani Beatrice Barbetta Paola Vaghi Giampaolo Giacovelli Paola Berchialla Dario Gregori |
author_sort |
Ileana Baldi |
title |
Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review |
title_short |
Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review |
title_full |
Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review |
title_fullStr |
Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review |
title_full_unstemmed |
Overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review |
title_sort |
overrunning in clinical trials: some thoughts from a methodological review |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Trials |
issn |
1745-6215 |
publishDate |
2020-07-01 |
description |
Abstract Background In sequential and adaptive trials, the delay that happens after the trial is stopped, by a predetermined stopping criterion, takes the name of overrunning. Overrunning consists of extra data, collected by investigators while awaiting results of the interim analysis (IA). The inclusion of such extra data in the analyses is scientifically appropriate and follows regulatory advice. Nevertheless, its effect from a broader perspective is unclear. Methods This article aims at clarifying the overall impact of including such overrunning data, providing first a revision, and then a comparison of the several approaches proposed in the literature for treating such data. A simulation study is performed based on two real-life examples. Results The paper shows that overrunning inclusion could seriously change the decision of an early conclusion of the study. It also shows that some of the methods proposed in the literature to include overrunning data are more conservative than others. Conclusion The choice of a more or a less conservative method could be considered more appropriate depending on the endpoint type or the design type. |
topic |
Overrunning Deletion method Combining p values Repeated confidence interval |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-020-04526-5 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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