Demographics, clinical, laboratory data and outcome defined as 28-day survival were recorded.
We also illustrate the application of catalytic priors in a preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of a job training program, which is complicated by the need to account for noncompliance, partially defined outcomes, and missing outcome data.
7 The investigators found that incomplete outcome data, defined as missing outcome data due to attrition, were reported in 95% of Cochrane reviews compared with 61% of non-Cochrane reviews.
Outcomes: prespecified outcomes defined above, follow-up intervals from start of intervention, units of measurement, missing data.
Pilot phase data showed a basal prevalence of total gastrointestinal symptoms (the four outcomes defined for this study) of 5%.
Protocols should describe any retention strategies and define which outcome data will be recorded from protocol non-adherers.
With the working group's goal fulfilled, including a complete set of outcomes and associated data defined, the focus can be shifted to implementation.
Outcome variables were defined using data from the Swedish Hospital Discharge and Cause of Death Registries.
To decrease response bias in either trial arm, the main outcome data was defined as a record of screening in the primary care notes, rather than self-report.
Outcome data included morbidity (defined as >1 complications on the postoperative morbidity survey) and clinical outcome (hospital mortality, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, readmission to the ICU).
The following items were attained by all studies: clearly defined objective, appropriate study design, representative sample, appropriate selection of outcome, appropriate measurement of outcome, standardised data collection, appropriate analysis of outcomes, and numerical description of important outcomes (Table 1).
