Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39759616›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

What Are the Trends in Women's Representation Among Principal Investigators of US Clinical Trials in the Field of Genetics?

Parmida Karimi, Asal Abolghasemi Fard, Aran Parnia, Radin Kamvar, Seyedehhasti Zojaji, Narges Behroozi, Amir Karimi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Large language model-based evaluation of the impact of gender in medical research.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Parmida KarimiDepartment of Dentistry, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, USA.
Asal Abolghasemi FardDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Modern Science and Technologies, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IRN.
Aran ParniaDepartment of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
Radin KamvarSchool of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, HUN.
Seyedehhasti ZojajiDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, CAN.
Narges BehrooziDepartment of Engineering, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, IRN.
Amir KarimiDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDespite progress in the representation of women in the medical profession, substantial gender disparities persist in leadership roles, particularly in clinical trials. Clinical trials are crucial to evidence-based medicine, offering visibility, career advancement, and future funding opportunities for principal investigators (PIs). However, women remain underrepresented in these roles, especially in genetics. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the proportion of women PIs in genetic clinical trials and its change over time, (2) trial characteristics (phase, funding source, intervention type) associated with women PIs, and (3) the geographic distribution of women-led trials in the United States.

methodsWe analyzed 4,112 genetic clinical trials conducted in the United States and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between 2007 and 2024. Trials lacking defined phases or complete investigator information were excluded. Statistical analyses were conducted using Fisher's exact tests and univariate linear regression.

resultsWomen comprised 1,552 out of 4,112 (37.7%) PIs, with representation fluctuating from seven out of 24 (29.2%) in 2008 to a peak of 17 out of 29 (58%) in 2010 before leveling off to 573 out of 1,712 (33%) in 2024. Women PIs conducted a higher number of behavioral (240 out of 1,552, 15.5%) and other interventions (218 out of 1,552, 14%) studies, compared to 196 out of 2,560 (7.7%) and 222 out of 2,560 (8.7%), respectively, for men. On the other hand, men PIs had a higher number of genetic (111 out of 2,560, 4.3%) and drug (1,654 out of 2,560, 64.6%) trials, compared to 44 out of 1,552 (7.7%) and 841 out of 1,552 (54.2%), respectively, for women. Women received more federal funding (24 out of 1,552 (1.5%) vs. 17 out of 2,560 (0.6%)), while men dominated industry funding (695 out of 2,560 (27.1%) vs. 386 out of 1,552 (24.9%)).

conclusionWomen remain underrepresented as PIs in genetic clinical trials, with no sustained growth over time. Mentorship programs, equitable funding policies, and increased visibility of women researchers are essential to address these disparities and foster equity in clinical trial leadership.

Indexed as

clinical trialgender equitygeneticsleadershipresearch personnel

Identifiers

PMID39759616
PMCPMC11698539

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.