Placebo Response Rates in Randomized Controlled Trials for Perianal Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Journal Articles uri icon

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abstract

  • Abstract Background and Aims Perianal fistulizing disease is a common complication of Crohn’s disease [CD], for which new therapies are urgently needed. To assist the design of clinical trials for novel therapeutics, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials [RCTs] to quantify placebo rates and identify factors influencing them in perianal CD [pCD]. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL from inception to June 2021. Eligible studies were placebo-controlled trials of pharmacological interventions for pCD. Placebo fistula response and remission rates for induction and maintenance trials were extracted and pooled using a random-effects model. Mixed-effects meta-regression was used to evaluate the impact of patient and study-level characteristics on point estimates. Results In 17 RCTs [13 induction, five maintenance] the pooled placebo fistula response and remission rate for induction trials was 25% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17–36%) and 17% [95% CI 11–25%], respectively. For maintenance trials, the pooled placebo fistula response and remission rate was 23% [95% CI 17–32%] and 19% [95% CI 14–25%], respectively. Trials enrolling patients with less disease activity and a higher proportion with ileal predominant disease were associated with significantly higher placebo response rates. Trials originating in Europe [compared to North America], therapies requiring perianal injection and a longer timepoint to measure remission were associated with higher placebo remission rates. Conclusions Placebo response and remission rates in pCD trials are influenced by patient and disease-related factors, as well as the type of intervention being studied. These contemporary rates will inform trial design for novel therapeutics.

authors

  • Sharma, Tanmay
  • Ma, Christopher
  • Sedano, Rocio
  • Hanzel, Jurij
  • McDonald, Cassandra
  • Hogan, Malcolm
  • Kochhar, Gursimran S
  • Narula, Neeraj
  • Peyrin-Biroulet, Laurent
  • Danese, Silvio
  • MacDonald, John K
  • Jairath, Vipul

publication date

  • April 19, 2023