Analysis of Effectiveness in Patient Registry Data

Data from patient registries can provide valuable information on patient outcomes in a real-life setting. Patient registries are organized systems that use observational study methods to collect data for specific purposes, e.g., to observe the natural history of disease, to monitor safety, to measure quality of care, and to assess the clinical and cost burden of illness [1]. Depending on the research question at hand, patient registries or randomized clinical trials may be the best way to get a satisfactory answer; they are complementary in assessing patient outcomes. In contrast to clinical trials, a registry will include a wider population representing patients actually receiving the treatment according to clinical practice, place no restriction on treatments provided, alter assessments and their frequency as little as possible, and follow patients over a longer time frame. These characteristics make results from observational research more generalizable to a wide range of patients.