Measurement of long-term outcomes in observational and randomised controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating treatment efficacy. However, the outcomes of RCTs often lack clinical utility and usually do not address real-world effectiveness.


OBJECTIVE
To review how traditional RCTs may be triangulated with other methodologies such as observational studies and pragmatic trials by highlighting recently reported studies, outcomes used and their respective merits.


METHODS
Literature review focusing on drug treatment.


RESULTS
Recently reported observational and some pragmatic studies show a degree of consistency in reported results and use outcomes that have face validity for clinicians.


CONCLUSIONS
No single experimental paradigm or outcome provides the necessary data to optimise treatment of mental illness in the clinical setting.
Hodgson
Richard
R
Lyme Brook Centre, Stoke on Trent, UK. richarde.hodgson@northstaffs.nhs.uk
Bushe
Chris
C
Hunter
Robert
R
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome