Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
10
pubmed:dateCreated
1986-11-21
pubmed:abstractText
We review the structure of the two most common observational study designs, cohort and case-control studies, and outline guidelines to help clinicians evaluate the validity of studies that employ these designs. To demonstrate the use of these guidelines we apply them to the important issue of whether oral contraceptive usage may reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. A recent case-control study has contradicted provocative evidence from two previous studies suggesting the existence of such a protective effect. Our analysis leads to the conclusion that the case-control study suggesting no association of oral contraceptives with the subsequent development of rheumatoid arthritis provides the best estimate of the effect of oral contraceptives currently available, and furthermore, the analysis permits recommendations to be made for the design of future investigations on this topic.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0021-9681
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
39
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
841-52
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1986
pubmed:articleTitle
Observational studies of cause-effect relationships: an analysis of methodologic problems as illustrated by the conflicting data for the role of oral contraceptives in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't