What is it? Why is it important?

A Clinical (final) Study Report (CSR), is a standardized report, that describes the methods and results of an implemented study.

A CSR is submitted to the respective Ethics Committee (EC) and regulatory authorities (e.g. Swissmedic, international).

 

The submission of CSR also applies when a study has been terminated or prematurely interrupted.

 

During study planning, the SP-INV used a risk-based approach, incorporating Quality-by-Design (QbyD) into the design of the study. An important integral part of QbyD is the identification of the study`s Critical-to-Quality (CtoQ) factors. The identification of risks threatening QtoQ is important to protect the:

 

In the CSR, the SP-INV must include and describe the quality management of the study, its risk-based and QbyD approach, including processes used to identify CtoQ factors, including risks threatening their integrity.

What do I need to do?

As a SP-INV:

  • Ensure the design of the CSR is part of the QbyD approach of your study. Follow and comply with CSR specifications provided by ICH E3
  • Describe the risk-based Quality Management System implemented in your study, emphasizing its role in ensuring participant safety and data integrity
  • Summarise important deviations, including root-cause analysis and Corrective and Preventive Actions taken (e.g. describe deviations from the statistical analysis plan)
  • If you have been audited include the audit certificate
  • In a multicentre study, provide participating Ste-INV with a summary of study results, to be filed in the Investigator Site File
  • Provide, and ask participating Site-INV(s), to submit a summary of study results to study participants. Ensure language used is non-technical, easily understood by a layperson
  • Submit the report to the EC and Swissmedic within regulatory required timelines

Where can I get help?

Your local Research Support Centre can assist you with experienced staff regarding this topic

  • Basel, Departement Klinische Forschung (DKF), dkf.unibas.ch

  • Lugano, Clinical Trials Unit (CTU-EOC), ctueoc.ch

  • Bern, Department of Clinical Research (DCR), dcr.unibe.ch

  • Geneva, Clinical Research Center (CRC), crc.hug.ch

  • Lausanne, Clinical Research Center (CRC), chuv.ch

  • St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), h-och.ch

  • Zürich, Clinical Trials Center (CTC), usz.ch

References

ICH GCP E6(R3) – see in particular guidelines

  • Glossary: Clinical Trial / Study Report (CSR); Interim Clinical Trial / Study Report
  • 2.13 Reports (Site-INV)
  • 3.10 Quality Management
  • 3.17.1 Premature Termination or Suspension of a trial
  • 3.17.2 Clinical Trial / Study Reports (SP-INV)

E8(R1) – see in particular guidelines

  • 2.2 Scientific approach in clinical study design
  • 3. Designing quality into clinical studies
  • 3.1 Quality by design of clinical studies
  • 5. Design elements and data sources for clinical studies
  • 5.6 Statistical analysis
  • 6.3 Study reporting

ICH E3 – in particular see guidelines for submission to Swissmedic

  • All Sections: Structure and Content of Clinical Study reports

ISO 9001 (access liable to costs – see in particular section

  • QMS Requirements

Swiss Law

ClinO – see in particular articles

  • Art. 36, 38 Specifications regarding final study report

ClinO-MD – see in particular articles

  • Art. 37 Final report
  • Art. 36 Notification of the completion, premature termination and interruption of a clinical trial
  • Art. 39 Reporting in relation to the use of ionising radiation

HRO – see in particular article

  • Art. 22 Notification upon completion or premature termination of a research project
  • 23 Reporting of investigations involving radiation sources

Documents

Abbreviations
  • ClinO – Clinical Trials Ordinance
  • CtoQ – Critical to Quality
  • CTU – Clinical Trials Unit
  • CSR - Clinical Study Report
  • EC – Ethics Committee
  • ICH GCP – International Council for Harmonisation
  • ICH GCP – International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice
  • ISO – International Organization for Standardization
  • QbyD – Quality by Design
  • Site-INV – Site Investigator
  • SP-INV – Sponsor-Investigator
Completion ↦ Quality and Risk ↦ Clinical Study Report ↦ Quality Aspects
Study
Basic

Provides some background knowledge and basic definitions

Basic Monitoring
Concept

Starts with a study idea

Ends after having assessed and evaluated study feasibility

Concept Statistic Methodology
Concept Drug or Device
Development

Starts with confidence that the study is feasible

Ends after having received ethics and regulatory approval

Development Drug or Device
Set-Up

Starts with ethics and regulatory approval

Ends after successful study initiation

Set-Up Ethics and Laws
Set-Up Statistic Methodology
Set-Up Quality and Risk
Set-Up Drug or Device
Conduct

Starts with participant recruitment

Ends after the last participant has completed the last study visit

Conduct Statistic Methodology
Conduct Drug or Device
Completion

Starts with last study visit completed

Ends after study publication and archiving

Completion Drug or Device
Current Path (click to copy): Completion ↦ Quality and Risk ↦ Clinical Study Report ↦ Quality Aspects