What is it? Why is it important?

A Clinical Study Report (CSR) / Clinical Investigation Report (CIR) is a document written by the SP-INV that describes the study by providing details on methods used and its study results. Applicable regulatory requirements have to be followed.

The CSR is submitted within a year upon study completion, discontinuation or interruption to:

  • Swissethics through the BASEC portal
  • Swissmedic for ClinO studies with category B and C
  • Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) for:
    • Studies of therapeutic products capable of emitting ionising radiation. Only for ClinO studies with category C
    • HRO research projects involving unsealed or sealed radioactive sources

More

  • Study results should be reported in a clear, complete and objective manner. The report must be complete, free from ambiguity, well organised and easy to review
  • If applicable, a longer and agreed period required for CSR submission can be defined.
  • An abbreviated CSR may be acceptable in certain cases
  • For submission to swissmedic the SP-INV should ensure that the CSR meets the standards provided by ICH E3 regarding guideline for structure and content of a clinical study report

What do I need to do?

Write a CSR that describes the:

  • Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic product used
  • Study design and statistical methods used
  • Study conduct (e.g. study visits)
  • Safety issues that occurred during study conduct and if applicable follow-up
  • Study outcome and their interpretation

As SP-INV of the study, forward the CSR or an applicable summary to participating Site-INV(s).

The CSR is filed in the TMF of the study, with an applicable summary in the ISF to be filed at each site.

 

CSR submission to Swissmedic is:

  • Only required for category B and C studies
  • Based on ICH E3 guidelines for structure and content

 

For more information refer to Documents in this Study Guide.

Where can I get help?

Your local CTU can support you with experienced staff regarding this topic

Swissethics - see in particular

  • BASEC: EC submission portal

References

ICH E3 – in particular see guidelines for submission to swissmedic

  • Section 1-15 Structure and Content of Clinical Study Reports

ICH GCP E6(R2) – see in particular guidelines

  • 1.13 Definition clinical study report
  • 4.13 Final report by investigator
  • 5.22 Clinical study report

 

ISO 14155:2020 Medical devices - see in particular sections (access liable to cost)

  • 8.4 Clinical investigation report

Swiss Law

ClinO – see in particular articles

  • Art. 36, 38 Specifications regarding final study report

HRO – see in particular article

  • Art. 23 Reporting of investigations involving radiation sources
Abbreviations
  • BASEC – Business Administration System for Ethics Committees
  • CIR – Clinical Investigational Report
  • ClinO – Clinical Trials Ordinance
  • CTU – Clinical Trials Unit
  • CSR – Clinical Study Report
  • EC – Ethic Committee
  • FOPH – Federal Office of Public Health
  • ICH GCP – International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice
  • HRO – Human Research Ordinance
  • ISO – International Organization for Standardization
  • TMF – Trial Master File
  • Site-INV – Site Investigator
  • SP-INV – Sponsor Investigator
Completion ↦ Management ↦ Clinical Study Report ↦ Regulatory Requirements
Study
Basic

Provides some background knowledge and basic definitions

Basic Protocol
Basic Statistics
Basic Monitoring
Basic Drug or Device
Basic Biobanking
Concept

Starts with a study idea

Ends after having assessed and evaluated study feasibility

Concept Protocol
Concept Statistics
Concept Drug or Device
Concept Biobanking
Development

Starts with confidence that the study is feasible

Ends after having received ethics and regulatory approval

Development Protocol
Development Statistics
Development Drug or Device
Development Biobanking
Set-Up

Starts with ethics and regulatory approval

Ends after successful study initiation

Set-Up Protocol
Set-Up Ethics and Laws
Set-Up Statistics
Set-Up Quality and Risk
Set-Up Drug or Device
Set-Up Biobanking
Conduct

Starts with participant recruitment

Ends after the last participant has completed the last study visit

Conduct Protocol
Conduct Statistics
Conduct Drug or Device
Conduct Biobanking
Completion

Starts with last study visit completed

Ends after study publication and archiving

Completion Protocol
Completion Statistics
Completion Drug or Device
Completion Biobanking
Current Path (click to copy): Completion ↦ Management ↦ Clinical Study Report ↦ Regulatory Requirements

Please note: the Easy-GCS tool is currently under construction.