Clinical trials: the viewpoint of children with a chronic illness compared to healthy children

Janine Cherrill¹, Heather Hudson¹, Caroline Cocking¹, Vanessa Unsworth¹, Linda Franck², Apostolos Fakis³, John McIntyre¹, Imti Choonara^1,*

¹ University of Nottingham, United Kingdom;
² Great Ormond Street, United Kingdom;
³ Derby City General Hospital, United Kingdom

Correspondence to: Imti Choonara, Academic Division of Child Health, Derbyshire Children's Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3NE, United Kingdom; imti.choonara{at}nottingham.ac.uk

Accepted 14 September 2009

The views of over 200 children (11-16 years old, who were either healthy or attending paediatric medical clinics with a chronic illness) on issues relating to paediatric clinical trials were determined by a questionnaire. Children with a chronic illness had a better understanding of the concept of dosing of medicines (40% v 23%) and placebo (34% v 20%). They were more likely to support children’s involvement in clinical trials (51% v 37%). The altruistic nature of children in both groups was similar. It was of concern however that 57-63% children would participate as a healthy volunteer in a cancer drug trial. Both groups were able to differentiate between the different types of illnesses where it is appropriate to study medicines in children (86-89% for illness where there is no treatment; 34-40% for "me-too" drugs). Young people should be given more opportunities to be involved in decision making regarding clinical trials of medicines.

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