Abstract
Objective
To describe the world panorama of the production of experimental studies on COVID-19.
Methods
Descriptive study conducted in April 2020, based on a search for clinical trial records on the Clinical Trials and Brazilian Clinical Trials Records portals. The statistical analysis was descriptive.
Results
Of the 645 clinical trials in the sample, there was a predominance of 199 (30.9%) from Europe, 213 (33%) performed by hospital institutions, 482 (74.7%) with the objective aimed at the treatment. As for interventions surveyed, 394 (61.1%) were on drugs; 70 (10.8%) investigated biological interventions; 45 (7.0%) interventions with blood and blood products; 40 (6.2%), behavioral interventions; 38 (5.9%), interventions with equipment; 31 (4.8%), care/procedural interventions; 18 (2.8%), diagnostic interventions and nine (1.4%) dietary supplementation interventions. The studied population was composed of adult and elderly subjects in 515 (79.8%) studies, 635 (98.4%) investigated both sexes, the design of 480 (74.4%) included randomization, of 482 (74.7%) parallel allocation of participants and 373 (57.8%) did not have blinding.
Conclusion
The experimental studies on COVID-19 originated from Europe, were conducted by hospitals, on treatment in adult and elderly subjects, with randomization but without blinding. The findings may direct the performance of studies addressing the identified gaps.
Coronavirus; Coronavirus infections; COVID-19; Pandemics; Evidence-based practice
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