How to Submit Your Results

Contents

• Overview of the ClinicalTrials.gov Results Database
  • Scientific Information
  • Administrative Information
• Steps for Submitting Results
  • Learn About Requirements for Submitting Results
  • Login to the Protocol Registration System (PRS)
  • Update the Protocol Section and Release (Submit) the Record
  • Enter the Required and Optional Results Data Elements
  • Preview, Inspect, and Release (Submit) the Record
• ClinicalTrials.gov Results Information Review Process
  • Viewing Your Record
  • Editing and Updating Your Record

Overview of the ClinicalTrials.gov Results Database

For certain clinical trials subject to the requirements of Section 801 of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA 801), Responsible Parties must submit scientific and administrative information about the results of the trial to the ClinicalTrials.gov results database. (See FDAAA 801 Requirements.)

The process of submitting results information to ClinicalTrials.gov is conceptually similar to preparing a manuscript for publication in a journal. An individual familiar with the study design and data analysis (such as the clinical investigator or study statistician) will need to be involved in order to accurately summarize the results information in the tabular format required by law and to ensure that the results are consistent with the ClinicalTrials.gov review criteria.

Scientific Information

Scientific information is submitted as four separate modules: Participant Flow, Baseline Characteristics, Outcome Measures and Statistical Analyses, and Adverse Events. The modules allow for the entry and display of information in a series of data tables with supporting notes, but without narrative conclusions about the results. Summary results information may be submitted once data are available for one or more primary outcome measures and for each arm of the study.

• Participant Flow. A tabular summary of the progress of participants through each stage of a study, by study arm or comparison group. It includes the numbers of participants who started, completed, and dropped out of each period of the study, based on the sequence in which interventions were assigned. Participant flow data are frequently depicted as a CONSORT flow diagram in publications. The module accommodates a wide range of study designs and allows for the description of key events following study enrollment but prior to group assignment (Pre-assignment Details).
  • Simple Results Template Participant Flow Template (PDF)
  • Participant Flow basic results data elements
  • Participant Flow Online Presentation:
    
    Results: Participant Flow Module (17:32)
    Rebecca J. Williams, Pharm.D., M.P.H., Assistant Director, ClinicalTrials.gov, NLM
    
    
• Baseline Characteristics. A tabular summary of the data collected at the beginning of a study for all participants, by study arm or comparison group. These data include demographics, such as age and gender, and study-specific measures (for example, systolic blood pressure, prior antidepressant treatment).
  • Simple Results Templates
    • Baseline Characteristics Template - Age (PDF)
    • Baseline Characteristics Template - Gender (PDF)
    • Baseline Characteristics Template - Race, Ethnicity, Region (PDF)
    • Baseline Characteristics Template - Study Specific Characteristic (PDF)
  • Baseline Characteristics basic results data elements
  • Baseline Characteristics Online Presentation:
    
    Results: Baseline Characteristics Module (12:25)
    Rebecca J. Williams, Pharm.D., M.P.H., Assistant Director, ClinicalTrials.gov, NLM
    
    
• Outcome Measures and Statistical Analyses. A tabular summary of outcome measure values, by study arm or comparison group. It includes tables for each prespecified primary and secondary outcome and may also include other prespecified outcomes, post hoc outcomes, and any appropriate statistical analyses.
  • Simple Results Template and Examples
    • Outcome Measure Template (PDF)
    • Examples - Outcome Measure Template (PDF)
  • Outcome Measures basic results data elements
  • Outcome Measures Online Presentation:
    
    Results: Outcome Measures and Statistical Analyses Module (13:03)
    Deborah A. Zarin, M.D., Director, ClinicalTrials.gov, NLM
    
    
• Adverse Events. A tabular summary of all anticipated and unanticipated serious adverse events and a tabular summary of anticipated and unanticipated other adverse events exceeding a specific frequency threshold. For each serious or other adverse event, it includes the adverse event term, affected organ system, number of participants at risk, and number of participants affected, by study arm or comparison group.
  • Simple Results Templates
    • Serious Adverse Event Template (PDF)
    • Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Event Template (PDF)
  • Adverse Events basic results data elements
  • Adverse Events Online Presentation:
    
    Results: Adverse Events Module (12:30)
    Rebecca J. Williams, Pharm.D., M.P.H., Assistant Director, ClinicalTrials.gov, NLM
    
    

Administrative Information

Administrative information consists of the study results point of contact and any agreement between the sponsor and principal investigator (PI) restricting the ability of the PI to discuss the results after the completion of the trial.

For more information, see

Steps for Submitting Results

1. Learn About Requirements for Submitting Results

   • See FDAAA 801 Requirements for information on which trials are required to submit results.
   • See the Basic Results Data Element Definitions and the Scientific Information, above, for descriptions and examples of the information to be submitted. Some data elements are required by ClinicalTrials.gov, while others are optional for ClinicalTrials.gov but may be required by FDAAA 801. Users are encouraged to provide all data elements in order to provide a complete description of the study results.

2. Login to the Protocol Registration System (PRS)

   • To retrieve forgotten passwords for existing PRS accounts, click on the Forgot password link on the Protocol Registration System (PRS).

3. Update the Protocol Section and Release (Submit) the Record

   • Ensure that the information in the protocol section is up to date before starting the Results section (for example, the Overall Recruitment Status, Study Start Date, Primary and Study Completion Dates, Actual Enrollment, and arm and intervention information).
   • Begin results submission after the updated record has been published on ClinicalTrials.gov.

4. Enter the Required and Optional Results Data Elements

   • For basic help with using PRS, review the Quick Start Guide found in the Help section of the PRS main menu. More detailed instructions are available in the PRS User's Guide, also found in the PRS main menu.
   • See the Basic Results Data Element Definitions for descriptions of each required data item.
   • See the Simple Results Templates for each module, listed above under Scientific Information, for a view of the data elements in a tabular format.
   • See the Helpful Hints (PDF) for tips on entering results data, including three examples of common study models (parallel design, crossover design, and diagnostic accuracy studies), and measure types.
   • See the Common Errors (DRAFT) (PDF) for an overview of common errors identified in submitted records with results.

5. Preview, Inspect, and Release (Submit) the Record

   • See the ClinicalTrials.gov Results Review Criteria (PDF) document for a description of items that should be addressed before releasing the record to ClinicalTrials.gov.
   • Verify in the PRS that the Record Status is "released." The record will not be processed by ClinicalTrials.gov unless it is released. Only the Responsible Party or a PRS account administrator can release the record.

ClinicalTrials.gov Results Information Review Process

A ClinicalTrials.gov staff member will review the study record after it is released (submitted) and before it is published on ClinicalTrials.gov. This review will focus on apparent validity (when possible), meaningful entries, logic and internal consistency, and formatting. You may be asked to clarify items or make corrections to the Protocol and/or Results sections of the record before publication. Please note that the review process may take up to 30 days. Ensuring that the record is consistent with the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Review Criteria (PDF) document and ClinicalTrials.gov Results Review Criteria (PDF) document before release will expedite publication on the site.

Viewing Your Record

After submitted results are accepted by review staff, the Results section will be displayed with the corresponding registered Protocol section under different tabs in a single study record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Editing and Updating Your Record

After the Results section has been initially posted, the record may be updated and edited at any time. The most recent version of a study record is displayed on ClinicalTrials.gov. A history of all changes made to previous versions of a study record displayed on ClinicalTrials.gov is available on the archive site. You will need the NCT Number for the record in order to view its history. The NCT Number can be found at the top of every record. You can also click on the "History of Changes" link at the top of a record to see its archived versions.