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Meta-Analysis
. 2016 Feb;108(1):24-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2015.12.004.

A Systematic Review of Race and Ethnicity in Hepatitis C Clinical Trial Enrollment

Julius Wilder  1 , Anirudh Saraswathula  2 , Vic Hasselblad  3 , Andrew Muir  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A Systematic Review of Race and Ethnicity in Hepatitis C Clinical Trial Enrollment

Julius Wilder et al. J Natl Med Assoc. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

The African American/Black population in the United States (US) is disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and has lower response rates to current treatments. This analysis evaluates the participation of African American/Blacks in North American and European HCV clinical trials. The data source for this analysis was the PubMed database. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) on HCV treatment with interferon 2a or 2b between January 2000 and December 2011 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included English language and participants 18 years or older with chronic HCV. Exclusion criteria included non-randomized trials, case reports, cohort studies, ethnic specific studies, or studies not using interferon-alfa or PEG-interferon. Of the 588 trials identified, 314 (53.4%) fit inclusion criteria. The main outcome was the rate of African American/ Black participation in North American HCV clinical trials. A meta-analysis comparing the expected and observed rates was performed. Of the RCT's that met search criteria, 123 (39.2%) reported race. Clinical trials in North America were more likely to report racial data than European trials. Racial reporting increased over time. There was a statistically significant difference among the expected and observed participation of African Americans in HCV clinical trials in North America based on the prevalence of this disease within the population. The burden of HCV among African Americans in North America is not reflected in those clinical trials designed to treat HCV. Research on minority participation in clinical trials and how to increase minority participation in clinical trials is needed.

Keywords: African American/Black; Clinical Trial; Hepatitis C.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Results of PubMed literature search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Reporting of race in RCT's conducted partially and only in North America and Europe
Figure 3
Figure 3
Participation of black and white patients in RCT's conducted partially and only in North America
Figure 4
Figure 4
Rate of African American/Black Participation in North American Hepatitis C Clinical Trials from 2000–2011
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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