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Article
A Study in Contrasts: Eligibility Criteria in a Twenty-Year Sample of NSABP and POG Clinical Trials
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology (1998)
  • Abraham Fuks, McGill University
  • Charles Weijer, University of Toronto
  • Benjamin Freedman, McGill University
  • Stanley Shapiro, McGill University
  • Myriam Skrutkowska, McGill University
  • Amina Riaz, McGill University
Abstract

We studied changes in eligibility criteria--the largest impediment to patient accrual--in two samples of clinical trials. Trials from the NSABP (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Program) and POG (Pediatric Oncology Group) were analyzed. After eliminating duplications, the criteria in each protocol were enumerated and classified according to a novel schema. NSABP trials contained significantly more criteria than POG trials, and added precision criteria (making study populations homogeneous) at a faster rate than POG studies. The difference between NSABP studies (explanatory trials) and POG studies (pragmatic trials) suggest that large numbers of eligibility criteria are not necessary for quality studies. We recommend that: (1) the inclusion/exclusion criteria distinction be abandoned; (2) eligibility criteria be explicitly justified; (3) the need for each criterion be assessed when new trials are planned; (4) criteria in phase III trials restricting patient accrual be minimized; and (5) further research be done to assess the impact of criteria on generalizability.

Keywords
  • Clinical Protocols,
  • Clinical Trials,
  • Combined Modality Therapy,
  • Confidence Intervals,
  • Medical Ethics
Publication Date
February, 1998
Publisher Statement
Dr. Charles Weijer is currently a faculty member at The University of Western Ontario.
Citation Information
Abraham Fuks, Charles Weijer, Benjamin Freedman, Stanley Shapiro, et al.. "A Study in Contrasts: Eligibility Criteria in a Twenty-Year Sample of NSABP and POG Clinical Trials" Journal of Clinical Epidemiology Vol. 51 Iss. 2 (1998)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/charlesweijer/132/