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

Conditions: Contraception; Female Contraception

Summary: 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. note: the study was conducted in two parts. study cr014383, nct00511784, represents the first portion of the study. this study, cr012022, represents the second portion of the extended study.

Eligibility criteria:
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

Keywords: contraception hormonal contraception oral contraception ethinyl estradiol progestin transdermal thrombosis venous thromboembolism