International Active Surveillance Study: Native Estrogen Estetrol (E4) Safety Study
brief summary
Multinational, comparative, prospective, active surveillance study that follows two cohorts. The primary objective of the study is to characterize and compare the risks of E4/Drospirenone (DRSP) with levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptives (EE/LNG) in a study population that is representative of the actual users of these preparations. The main clinical outcome of interest is venous thromboembolism (VTE), specifically deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Secondary objectives include measuring the occurrence of unintended pregnancy, assessing the risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE), describing the drug utilization pattern, describing the baseline risk profile for VTE and ATE, and investigating outcomes associated with foetal exposure to E4/DRSP.
detailed description
Rationale and background:
The combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing estetrol (E4) and drospirenone (DRSP) (E4/DRSP) is a novel oral contraceptive containing a fixed dose of E4 (14.2 mg) and DRSP (3 mg). E4 is a natural oestrogen only produced during pregnancy by the foetal liver. When combined with the progestin DRSP, ovulation is inhibited. The E4/DRSP combination may have less impact on hepatic and haemostasis parameters in comparison to combinations of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG) or EE and DRSP. Yet, it is unknown whether this regimen has an impact on the cardiovascular risk associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives.
Study design:
Multinational, comparative, prospective, active surveillance study that follows two cohorts. The cohorts consist of new users (starters and restarters ) of two different groups of hormonal contraceptives: E4/DRSP and EE/LNG. The study is taking a non-interventional approach to provide comprehensive information on these treatments in a routine clinical practice setting. Study participants will be enrolled via an international network of COC-prescribing health care professionals (HCPs) and then followed up for one to two years. All outcomes of interest will be captured by direct contact with the study participants. Reported outcomes of interest will be validated via attending physicians and relevant source documents. The classification of outcomes of interest into 'confirmed' and 'not confirmed' will be verified by blinded independent adjudication.
Population:
Approximately 101,000 study participants (50,500 E4/DRSP and 50,500 EE/LNG new users) will be recruited via a network of COC-prescribing health care professionals in Europe, the USA, and Brazil. All new users (starters and restarters) prescribed E4/DRSP or EE/LNG who are willing to participate may be eligible for enrolment in the study.
Data sources:
This is a field study that entails exposure to COCs and the occurrence of clinical outcomes of interest by completing questionnaires at baseline (study entry) and follow-up (at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post-baseline), in addition to potential confounding factors and potential effect modifiers. Medical confirmation of the occurrence of a clinical outcome of interest will be sought from the attending HCP and/or study participant (e.g., diagnostic report, discharge letter).