Nearly 77 percent of pulmonary clinical trials failed to report race and ethnicity data

Researchers from Duke University and Durham Veteran Affairs Medical Center have found that nearly 77 percent of pulmonary clinical trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov failed to report race and ethnicity data, and biologic-related studies had even lower odds of reporting race and ethnicity data when compared with drug trials.

The researchers employed a validated algorithm and assessed clinical trials in pulmonary medicine between 2008-2012 and examined race and ethnicity reporting through September 2013. Researchers discovered that trials completed more recently were more likely to report the data compared with earlier trials, and trials studying asthma and COPD had significantly greater odds of reporting race and ethnicity when compared with other pulmonary trials.

"Our study highlights a need to increase and encourage race and ethnicity reporting among pulmonary trials. This reporting could help clarify treatment effects among ethnic and racial minorities," said Dr. Isaretta L. Riley, Duke University and lead researcher, "we're encouraged by the trend of more recent trials reporting this data but recognize there is still opportunity for improvement."