A Postmarketing Study of the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots), Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attacks), and Stroke Among Women Using ORTHO EVRA (Norelgestromin and Ethinyl Estradiol Contraceptive Patch) Compared With Women Who Take Oral Contraceptives for Birth Control

Official Title: “The Risk of Venous Thromboembolism, Myocardial Infarction, and Ischemic Stroke Among Women Using the Transdermal Contraceptive System Compared With Women Using Norgestimate-containing Oral Contraceptives With 35 Mcg Ethinyl Estradiol”

The purpose of the study is to use data from a health care information database to assess the risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots), myocardial infarction (heart attacks), and stroke among women using a transdermal contraceptive system (ORTHO EVRA) for birth control compared with women using norgestimate-containing oral contraceptives with 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol.

ORTHO EVRA (norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol) is a once-a-week transdermal contraceptive (birth control) system where a small square-shaped patch is worn on the body and hormones from the patch are absorbed transdermally (through the skin) to help prevent pregnancy. This is an observational case-control study that will use data provided by a United States health care claims database and the National Death Index (NDI) to assess the risk of venous thromboembolism abbreviated as VTE (includes deep vein thrombosis abbreviated as DVT [a blood clot that forms in one or more of the deep veins of the body, usually the legs] and pulmonary embolism abbreviated as PE [a blood clot in the lungs]), acute myocardial infarction abbreviated as AMI (heart attack), and ischemic stroke (blockage of an artery that supplies blood to the brain) among women using the transdermal contraceptive system, ORTHO EVRA compared with women using norgestimate-containing oral contraceptives (NGM-OCs) with 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol (EE), during the period 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2004 and during an extension period from 01 January 2005 to 31 December 2006. In the extension period of the study (01 January 2005 to 31 December 2006), mortality was added as an endpoint in the study. After obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and a waiver of authorization, requests will be made for medical records for all women who have been dispensed at least once with ORTHO EVRA or a NGM-OC and whose health insurance claims are consistent with the occurrence of VTE, AMI, or stroke. The primary outcome measure in the study is AMI and ischemic stroke combined in current and recent users or ORTHO EVRA compared to current and recent users of NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE. Observational study - No investigational drug administered.

Intervention(s) in this Clinical Trial

• Drug: Transdermal Contraceptive System
  • In each 4-week period, exposed subjects will wear a transdermal patch containing 6 mg norelgestromin and 0.75 mg EE worn for each of 3 consecutive weeks with no patch the 4th week.
• Drug: Norgestimate-containing oral contraceptives with EE
  • NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE taken during each 4 week period for 21 consecutive days, then no pill or a drug-free pill 7 days.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts in this Clinical Trial

• : 001
  • Transdermal Contraceptive System In each 4-week period exposed subjects will wear a transdermal patch containing 6 mg norelgestromin and 0.75 mg EE worn for each of 3 consecutive weeks with no patch the 4th week.
• : 002
  • Norgestimate-containing oral contraceptives with EE NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE taken during each 4 week period for 21 consecutive days then no pill or a drug-free pill 7 days.

Primary Measures

• AMI and ischemic stroke combined in current and recent users or ORTHO EVRA compared to current and recent users of NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE.
  • Time Frame: From 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2004 combined with data from the extension period from 01 January 2005 to 31 December 2006.
    Safety Issue?: Yes

Secondary Measures

• AMI in current and recent users or ORTHO EVRA compared to current and recent users of NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE.
  • Time Frame: From 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2006.
    Safety Issue?: No
• Ischemic stroke in current and recent users or ORTHO EVRA compared to current and recent users of NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE.
  • Time Frame: From 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2006.
    Safety Issue?: No
• VTE (a combined outcome of PE and DVT) in current and recent users or ORTHO EVRA compared to current and recent users of NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE.
  • Time Frame: From 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2006.
    Safety Issue?: No
• AMI or ischemic stroke or VTE combined in current and recent users or ORTHO EVRA compared to current and recent users of NGM-OCs with 34 mcg of EE.
  • Time Frame: From 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2006.
    Safety Issue?: No
• All deaths (identified by the NDI), NDI-identified deaths due to AMI, ischemic stroke or VTE, and NDI-identified deaths due to sudden or unknown causes
  • Time Frame: From 01 April 2002 to 31 December 2006.
    Safety Issue?: No

Inclusion Criteria:

• Users of a transdermal contraceptive system or norgestimate-containing oral contraceptives with 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol between April 1, 2002 and December 31, 2006, who are identified in the Ingenix Research Database
• Have complete medical coverage and pharmacy benefits

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have a claim associated with physician services for any of the following: malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer
• coagulation defects, history of venous thrombus/embolism, or long-term anticoagulant use
• Chronic inflammatory disease

Gender Eligibility for this Clinical Trial: Female

Minimum Age for this Clinical Trial: 15 Years

Maximum Age for this Clinical Trial: 44 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted for this Clinical Trial?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Lead Investigator: Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. Industry

Overall Clinical Trial Officials and Contacts

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L. C. Clinical Trial Study Director Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.  

Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 09, 2012

Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00377988

Study ID Number: CR012022

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00377988

Health Authority: United States: Institutional Review Board

Myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism among transdermal contraceptive system users

Dore DD, Norman H, Loughlin J, Seeger JD (in press). Extended case-control study results on thromboembolic outcomes among transdermal contraceptive users. Contraception.

Myocardial infarction, stroke, and venous thromboembolism among transdermal contraceptive system users