Obstetric Clinical Trial Diversity

Abstract

Inclusive clinical trials are necessary to improve maternal health equity. We aimed to analyze the current state of race and ethnicity reporting and representation in obstetric trials and the association with trial focus for all U.S.-based obstetric trials between 2007 and 2020. In this cross-sectional, multivariable regression analysis, the exposure variable was clinical trial focus (eg, prematurity), and the outcomes were race and ethnicity reporting and representation of diverse cohorts. Obstetric anesthesia trials reported race and ethnicity the least frequently of all trial foci (adjusted odds ratio 0.2, 95% CI 0.08–0.48). Hypertension and obstetric anesthesia trials enrolled the lowest proportion of Black participants, and prematurity trials enrolled the lowest proportion of Latinx and Asian participants. All researchers should strive to improve measurement and reporting of demographic data as well participation of diverse cohorts.