The role of comparative observational studies – OXON’s COVID-19 Research Programme
The NEJM and The Lancet on 06 June retracted two non-randomised comparative studies, of antihypertensive therapy and hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine with or without a macrolide for the treatment of COVID-19, respectively.
WHO reported on 03 June that the hydroxychloroquine arm of the SOLIDARITY trial will continue following review by the data monitoring committee.
OXON Epidemiology leads a group of international European academics and clinicians to conduct the ‘RAPID COVID-19′ research programme to help provide reliable evidence via observational studies to make decisions about pharmacological interventions in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
- Retrospective cohort analyses of a large dataset from a network of hospitals to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of medications and determine prognostic factors.
- Real-time systematic reviews and meta-analyses of non-randomised treatment comparisons.
- Comparison of treatment effects in RCTS and non-randomised studies.
Our observational studies are driven by an international study team, which includes a Professor of Medical Statistics who is a member of the DISCOVERY trial Data Monitoring Committee, and our research (on international registers) is detailed on our Covid-19 Research Programme website.
We welcome collaboration, including sharing our experience, with pharma companies involved in COVID-19.