Intrarosa (prasterone) is indicated for the treatment of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) in post-menopausal women having moderate to severe symptoms. The Intrarosa pessary is administered once daily. The active ingredient prasterone is also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Prasterone is an inactive endogenous steroid that is converted intracellularly in the vaginal cells into active androgens and/or oestrogens which are inactivated locally at their site of synthesis. VVA is a common condition in post-menopausal women and is associated with decreased sex steroid levels in the vaginal tissue, which may be improved using suitable treatment. The effectiveness and safety of Intrarosa in post-menopausal women with moderate to severe VVA symptoms were assessed in the appropriate clinical trials.
In response to the application for market authorization in European Union (EU) countries, a drug utilization study (DUS) to investigate adherence to the SmPC with regards to contraindications in the real life situation was requested by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which will be performed in 3 EU member states, namely France, Spain and Sweden.
Research question and objectives
The overall aim of the DUS is to describe the baseline characteristics and utilization patterns of EU post-menopausal women initiating treatment with Intrarosa.
Objectives
1. Describe their baseline and historical characteristics of female patients initiating Intrarosa such as age, history and current oestrogen-dependent cancers such as ovarian or breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, abnormal Pap smear, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, thrombophilic disorders, angina and myocardial infarction, acute liver disease, porphyria and indication for use.
2. Estimate the proportion of patients that may have been prescribed Intrarosa outside of the specifications of the product label (‘off-label use’).
Study design
This will be a multi-country cohort study based on secondary data collection using a combination of existing data sources. No longitudinal follow-up of patients will be performed in this study.
Population
This study will be conducted in the outpatient setting of the target countries (France, Spain, Sweden). All patients in the selected countries/databases who initiate Intrarosa in the first 3 years following the product launch will be enrolled. No comparator cohort will be used.
Variables
In order to meet the study objectives, patients’ baseline and historical characteristics (age, indication, co-morbidities) will be described.
Data sources
The following data sources are planned for the DUS Intrarosa
? Electronic Medical Records (EMR) databases: IMS® LPD (France, Spain)
? National registry (Sweden)
Study size
The exact number of prescriptions records available for analysis will depend significantly on the market uptake of Intrarosa in the target countries. The more data will be available, the higher will be the level of confidence for any estimate, i.e. the smaller will be the width of the 95% confidence interval (CI). In case of low numbers, the inclusion of additional target countries (like Germany) or extension of the observational period will be discussed.
Data analysis
The analyses will be descriptive in nature, performed annually for 3 years, and use counts and percentages for categorical variables and means with standard deviations for continuous variables. Analyses will be performed for annual and cumulative study periods separately per database and per country. In case of low patient numbers, analysis may be postponed to the following year to allow for an extended observational period. A detailed description of planned analyses is provided in the statistical analysis plan.
Results and Milestones
Two annual interim study reports and a final report will be submitted to the EMA in Q4 2020, Q4 2021 and Q4 2022. The DUS will include patients who initiate Intrarosa treatment in the first 3 years following the first commercial availability of Intrarosa in the EU. Product launch in the target countries is expected to start in Q4 2018 for Sweden, while for Spain and France, it is expected to start in Q1 2019. Protocol Registration in the EU PAS register is planned in Q4 2018.