ClinicalTrials.gov is a database of publicly and privately funded clinical studies conducted around the world.
The database is maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). ClinicalTrials.gov is a resource for people who want to learn more about clinical studies, and for those who want to participate in a study. The website provides information about a study’s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details. It also includes the conditions being studied and the names and locations of the study sites.
The database is a reliable source of information about clinical studies, and it is updated regularly.
Which types of studies are registered on ClinicalTrials.gov?
ClinicalTrials.gov lists many types of studies, including interventional studies and observational studies.
Interventional studies are research studies in which the researchers give a specific treatment, drug, or other intervention to a group of people and compare the results to a group of people who do not receive the treatment or intervention.
Observational studies are research studies in which the researchers observe people without giving them any specific treatment or intervention. The purpose of observational studies is to learn more about the natural history of a disease or condition and the factors that may influence it.
ClinicalTrials.gov also lists other types of studies, such as behavioural studies and expand access studies.
Behavioural studies are research studies that focus on people’s behaviour, such as how they think, feel, or act.
Expand access studies are research studies that provide a treatment or drug to people who do not qualify for the treatment or drug under normal conditions. The purpose of expanding access studies is to give people access to potentially helpful treatments or drugs while the treatments or drugs are being tested in clinical trials.
Number of registered studies over time in ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov has been in operation since 2000 with 1,255 studies available, and it has continued to grow over time (437,547 studies available at the end of 2022).
The database now contains information about hundreds of thousands of studies from around the world. The number of studies listed in ClinicalTrials.gov has increased significantly since the database was first established, as more and more studies have been registered in the database over time.
Number of registered studies with posted results over time in ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov requires that certain types of studies with positive results must be reported within a specific time frame, as outlined in the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) of 2007 and the Final Rule issued in February 2017.
This requirement applies to certain clinical trials of drugs, biologics, and devices that are subject to FDA regulation, as well as certain paediatric studies.
The purpose of this requirement is to promote transparency and to make the results of clinical trials available to the public in a timely manner. It is likely that the number of studies with posted results on ClinicalTrials.gov has increased over time as more and more studies have become subject to these reporting requirements.
The registered studies with posted results in 2022 were 56,561.
How can patients and families use ClinicalTrials.gov?
Patients and families can use ClinicalTrials.gov to learn more about clinical studies that may be relevant to their health concerns.
By searching the database, patients and families can find information about studies that are being conducted in their area or on a particular topic of interest. They can also learn more about the purpose of the study, the inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, and how to contact the study team for more information.
ClinicalTrials.gov can be a useful resource for patients and families who are looking for information about clinical studies or who are considering participating in a study but it is not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider.
Patients and families should always talk to their healthcare provider about their treatment options and any decisions they are considering.
How can researchers use ClinicalTrials.gov?
Researchers can use ClinicalTrials.gov to find information about clinical studies that have been conducted or are currently being conducted on a particular topic. The database allows researchers to search for studies by location, condition, intervention, and other criteria. Researchers can also use ClinicalTrials.gov to find contact information for study teams and to learn more about the inclusion and exclusion criteria for study participants.
In addition, ClinicalTrials.gov allows researchers to register their own clinical studies in the database and to post the results of their studies once the study is completed. This helps to ensure that the results of clinical research are widely available to the scientific community and to the public.
By registering their studies and posting their results on ClinicalTrials.gov, researchers can help to promote transparency and to make their research more visible to other researchers and stakeholders.
Other Websites like ClinicalTrial.gov
There are several other websites that provide information about clinical studies and clinical trial opportunities, in addition to ClinicalTrials.gov.
Some examples include:
- The World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) is a database of clinical studies from around the world. It includes information about studies that are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as well as studies that are registered with other clinical trial registries. ( https://www.who.int/clinical-trials-registry-platform)
- The European Union Clinical Trials Register (EUCTR) is a database of clinical studies that are conducted in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). It includes information about studies that are sponsored by the EU or by EU member states, as well as studies that are sponsored by other organizations. ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/)
- The Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS) is a database of clinical studies that are conducted in South Korea. It includes information about studies that are sponsored by the Korean government or by Korean research institutions, as well as studies that are sponsored by other organizations. (https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/info/introduce.do?search_lang=E&lang=E)
- ClinicalConnection is a website that provides information about clinical studies that are looking for participants. It includes information about studies in a variety of therapeutic areas and allows users to search for studies by location and other criteria. ( https://www.clinicalconnection.com/ )
- CenterWatch is a website that provides information about clinical studies and clinical trial opportunities. It includes information about studies in a variety of therapeutic areas and allows users to search for studies by location and other criteria. (https://www.centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/ )