Assessing the quality of case-control association studies on the genetic basis of sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
To define methodological standards that would improve the quality and reproducibility of case-control genetic association studies in sepsis.


METHODS
Summary of the published standards.


RESULTS
Twelve main criteria and measures for evaluation of those criteria were developed from a variety of reviews and editorials on the subject.


CONCLUSIONS
Case-control candidate gene association studies represent an important tool for understanding the role that genes play in the pathogenesis of sepsis. It is important, however, to understand the limitations of these studies and the need for replication.
Vitali
Sally H
SH
Department of Anesthesia and the Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Randolph
Adrienne G
AG
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018805:Sepsis / Q000235:genetics*