Open AccessObservational Studies: Cohort and Case-Control Studies
Author(s) -
Jae W. Song,
Kevin C. Chung
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
plastic and reconstructive surgery/psef cd journals
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.841
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1076-5751
pISSN - 0032-1052
DOI - 10.1097/prs.0b013e3181f44abc
Subject(s) - observational study , medicine , randomized controlled trial , cohort study , research design , intensive care medicine , surgery , pathology , statistics , mathematics
Observational studies constitute an important category of study designs. To address some investigative questions in plastic surgery, randomized controlled trials are not always indicated or ethical to conduct. Instead, observational studies may be the next best method of addressing these types of questions. Well-designed observational studies have been shown to provide results similar to those of randomized controlled trials, challenging the belief that observational studies are second rate. Cohort studies and case-control studies are two primary types of observational studies that aid in evaluating associations between diseases and exposures. In this review article, the authors describe these study designs and methodologic issues, and provide examples from the plastic surgery literature.