Concept↦Safety↦Safety in Studies↦Participant Risk-Benefit
What is it? Why is it important?
Based on the planned target population, it is crucial that its composition is taken into consideration when assessing the risk-benefit ratio of the study (e.g. health / disease status, vulnerable population such as children, pregnant women).
Study risks and burdens include:
- Unwanted (serious) side effects related to the intervention or its procedures
- The new treatment is not as effective as intended, or is not better than a standard treatment, and/or has more side effects
- Impairment in the quality of life
Benefits include:
- Efficacy of study treatment
- Access to novel treatment options
- Close monitoring with more frequent health check-ups
- Psychosocial benefits (e.g. play a more active role in personal health care)
- Ability to contribute to medical research that may save future lives, or improve the health of future patients
More
For interventional studies, the Swiss law provides clear risk-benefit guidelines for the use of placebo groups.
In studies with an expected direct benefit, the use of a placebo or non-treatment is only allowed if:
- No additional risk of serious or irreversible harm is to be expected, and
- No standard treatment is available; or
- The use of a placebo is required for compelling, scientifically sound methodological reasons, in order to establish the efficacy or safety of a treatment method
What do I need to do?
As a SP-INV define potential risks and benefits for participants during study conduct.
Assess:
- Type of risks (e.g. are they serious or non-serious)
- Risk detection methods (e.g. specific symptoms, lab reports)
- Likelihood of risk occurrence (e.g. expected frequency)
- Severity of risks (e.g. mild, moderate, severe)
- Risk duration (e.g. a rash that lasts one week is more acceptable than if it lasts for one month or longer)
- Reversibility of risks
Include potential psychosocial risks and/or quality of life impairments.
For benefit assess:
- Type of expected benefit (e.g. pain reduction, a decrease in occurrence and duration, better quality of life)
- Psychosocial benefits or the importance of the study for future patients.
Document expected study risks in the:
- Participant information sheet
- Study protocol (e.g. include risk mitigating measures)
For more information refer to Quality & Risk in this study guide.
More
It is the responsibility of the SP-INV and Site-INV to ensure participants understand risks involved in study participation.
A shift in the study risk-benefit ratio (e.g. new risks) potentially affecting study participants requires that:
- The SP-INV implements respective PIS updates
- The Site-INV informs participants about new risks, and if applicable, asks the participant to re-consent to study participation
Where can I get help?
Your local CTU↧ can support you with experienced staff regarding this topic
Basel, Departement Klinische Forschung, CTU, dkf.unibas.ch
Lugano, Clinical Trials Unit, CTU-EOC, www.ctueoc.ch
Bern, Clinical Trials Unit, CTU, www.ctu.unibe.ch
Geneva, Clinical Research Center, CRC, crc.hug.ch
Lausanne, Clinical Research Center, CRC, www.chuv.ch
St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit, CTU, www.kssg.ch
Zürich, Clinical Trials Center, CTC, www.usz.ch
References
Declaration of Helsinki – see in particular principles
- 4, 7-9, 14 General principles
- 16-18 Risks, burdens and benefits
Swiss Law
HRA – see in particular articles
- Art. 8 Right to receive information
- Art. 12 Risks and burdens
- Art. 13 Placebo
- Art. 15 Safety and protective measures
- Art. 16 Informed consent risks
ClinO – see in particular articles
- Art. 7 Information
- Art. 8 Exception to written form
- Art. 9 Consequences of revocation to consent
- Art. 25 EC review areas
- Art. 32 RA review areas
ClinO-MD – see in particular articles
- Art. 3 lic. b Applicable provision
- Art.11 EC review areas
- Art. 17 RA review areas
HRO – see in particular articles
- Art. 7 Categorisation
- Art. 8 Information
- Art. 9 Exceptions to written form
- Art. 10 Consequences of revocation of consent