Assessment of primary outcome measures for a clinical trial of pediatric hemorrhagic injuries.

2020

2020 Mar 09

1532-8171

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>We evaluated the acceptability of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and other outcomes as the primary outcomes for a pediatric hemorrhagic trauma trial (TIC-TOC) among clinicians.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>We conducted a mixed-methods study that included an electronic questionnaire followed by teleconference discussions. Participants confirmed or rejected the PedsQL as the primary outcome for the TIC-TOC trial and evaluated and proposed alternative primary outcomes. Responses were compiled and a list of themes and representative quotes was generated.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>73 of 91 (80%) participants completed the questionnaire. 61 (84%) participants agreed that the PedsQL is an appropriate primary outcome for children with hemorrhagic brain injuries. 32 (44%) participants agreed that the PedsQL is an acceptable primary outcome for children with hemorrhagic torso injuries, 27 (38%) participants were neutral, and 13 (18%) participants disagreed. Several themes were identified from responses, including that the PedsQL is an important and patient-centered outcome but may be affected by other factors, and that intracranial hemorrhage progression assessed by brain imaging (among patients with brain injuries) or blood product transfusion requirements (among patients with torso injuries) may be more objective outcomes than the PedsQL.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>The PedsQL was a well-accepted proposed primary outcome for children with hemorrhagic brain injuries. Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage progression was favored by a subset of clinicians. A plurality of participants also considered the PedsQL an acceptable outcome for children with hemorrhagic torso injuries. Blood product transfusion requirement was favored by fewer participants.</p>

10.1016/j.ajem.2020.03.001

Am J Emerg Med

32278572

Traumatic injury clinical trial evaluating tranexamic acid in children (TIC-TOC): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

2018

593

2018 Oct 30

1745-6215

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children in the United States. The antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid (TXA) improves survival in adults with traumatic hemorrhage, however, the drug has not been evaluated in a clinical trial in severely injured children. We designed the Traumatic Injury Clinical Trial Evaluating Tranexamic Acid in Children (TIC-TOC) trial to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a confirmatory clinical trial that evaluates the effects of TXA in children with severe trauma and hemorrhagic injuries.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Children with severe trauma and evidence of hemorrhagic torso or brain injuries will be randomized to one of three arms: (1) TXA dose A (15&nbsp;mg/kg bolus dose over 20&nbsp;min, followed by 2&nbsp;mg/kg/hr infusion over 8&nbsp;h), (2) TXA dose B (30&nbsp;mg/kg bolus dose over 20&nbsp;min, followed by 4&nbsp;mg/kg/hr infusion over 8&nbsp;h), or (3) placebo. We will use permuted-block randomization by injury type: hemorrhagic brain injury, hemorrhagic torso injury, and combined hemorrhagic brain and torso injury. The trial will be conducted at four pediatric Level I trauma centers. We will collect the following outcome measures: global functioning as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) and Pediatric Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E Peds), working memory (digit span test), total amount of blood products transfused in the initial 48&nbsp;h, intracranial hemorrhage progression at 24&nbsp;h, coagulation biomarkers, and adverse events (specifically thromboembolic events and seizures).</p>

<p><strong>DISCUSSION: </strong>This multicenter trial will provide important preliminary data and assess the feasibility of conducting a confirmatory clinical trial that evaluates the benefits of TXA in children with severe trauma and hemorrhagic injuries to the torso and/or brain.</p>

<p><strong>TRIAL REGISTRATION: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT02840097 . Registered on 14 July 2016.</p>

10.1186/s13063-018-2974-z

Trials

30376893