Critical appraisal of observational studies

Question 1

Define observational studies

Answer 1

Study with no intervention
Provide estimate and examine association of events without intervention

Case reports, case series, cross sectional studies

Question 2

Retrospective vs prospective

Answer 2

R- inexpensive, short time, easy to access lots of subjects, quick results, inaccurate/incomplete info and data, and subject forget their past.
P- expensive, long time, harder to get people, lose subjects over time, methods may change, complete and accurate data, reliable data

Question 3

Pros and cons

Question 4

Measures of outcomes in oncology studies

Question 5

Define and interpret hazard ratio

Question 6

Survival analysis (KM curves)

Question 7

Critical appraisal checklist