title: [On the timing of randomised studies: the sooner initiated, the better?]
abstract: The study design for randomised double-blind studies is powerful. Randomisation and blinding ensure that the groups that are compared are truly exchangeable. Any differences in health outcomes can be attributed rightfully to the one aspect on which the study groups differ: the treatment. In this commentary, we argue that the use of this powerful study design at the wrong moment can lead to undesirable situations.
authors.affiliation: UMC Utrecht, Julius Centrum voor Gezondheidswetenschappen en Eerstelijns Geneeskunde, Utrecht.
authors.forename: R H H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Groenwold
authors.forename: P M M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bossuyt
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic