The Challenge of Assessing Treatment Effectiveness in a Real-World Setting

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Challenge of Assessing Treatment Effectiveness in a Real-World Setting

AU - Smith, Alexandra Gwen

PY - 2021/11/5

Y1 - 2021/11/5

N2 - Real-world data derived from observational studies, particularly from administrative health care and insurance claims databases, are increasingly being used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. To control for potential biases, a number of analytical techniques have been developed. However, the procedures used can be far from intuitive, and this along with other methodological issues can make it challenging to assess whether reported results are real or artefactual. This commentary summarizes some of the issues associated with evaluating treatment effectiveness in the real-world setting, at the same time highlighting the important role observational studies can play.

AB - Real-world data derived from observational studies, particularly from administrative health care and insurance claims databases, are increasingly being used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. To control for potential biases, a number of analytical techniques have been developed. However, the procedures used can be far from intuitive, and this along with other methodological issues can make it challenging to assess whether reported results are real or artefactual. This commentary summarizes some of the issues associated with evaluating treatment effectiveness in the real-world setting, at the same time highlighting the important role observational studies can play.

U2 - 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.09.014

DO - 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.09.014

M3 - Comment/debate

SN - 0149-2918

VL - 43

SP - 2026

EP - 2029

JO - Clinical Therapeutics

JF - Clinical Therapeutics

IS - 11

ER -