While most of us have observed the complexities of clinical trials in areas such as Oncology and Cardiovascular diseases, it’s perhaps slightly unanticipated to consider Enteric and diarrheal diseases in this context. However, as trials continue to become more intricate, it’s essential to recognise that this complexity extends across the spectrum of diseases and therapeutic areas. And this includes trials for Enteric and diarrheal diseases too.
Markey et al, in their paper “Clinical trials are becoming more complex: a machine learning analysis of data from over 16,000 trials” demonstrated a data-driven approach to quantify this complexity using machine learning algorithms. This was done through the development of a novel metric - the Trial Complexity Score - that could predict a trial’s duration based on key features like the number of endpoints, inclusion and exclusion criteria, etc.
This approach towards estimating trial complexity can be a crucial tool in the planning and execution phases of clinical trials helping to optimise resources and ensure that a trial runs smoothly. This is particularly relevant in the case of Enteric and diarrheal diseases, which historically may have received less attention in terms of complexity analysis from the scientific and medical communities.
Fast Data Science’s Clinical Trial Risk Tool comes into picture here - it utilises machine learning to predict trial complexity from the protocol text. By training machine learning algorithms on thousands of previous trial protocols, this tool is capable of accurately predicting the Complexity Score for a given trial.
In a nutshell, this means that before a trial for Enteric and diarrheal diseases even begins, we can predict its complexity and make necessary plans and adjustments. And all of this is possible by just analysing the trial’s protocol text!
The potential implications could be instrumental in the clinical trial industry. By being able to identify potential bottlenecks and challenges before they occur, we can streamline trials, optimise resources, and ultimately deliver new treatments to patients faster. In a world where clinical trials are only getting more complex, tools like this are becoming increasingly important. So, the next time we consider the complexity of clinical trials, let’s remember - it’s not just about Oncology or Cardiovascular diseases. It’s about every trial, even those for Enteric and diarrheal diseases.
