Adaptive platform trials aim to test several potential treatment options for a specific condition. In such trials, the study design can be dynamically adjusted so that, for example, new treatment options can be added, or treatment options already being tested can be removed from the trial if they are found to be ineffective. (Woodcock & LaVange, 2017)
Case-control studies compare people with a particular condition with similar individuals (for example, in terms of age or gender) who do not have that condition. The aim is to investigate whether there might be potential risk factors that could have contributed to the development of the condition. (IQWiQ)
In the context of clinical trials, an intervention is a measure that does not form part of routine clinical practice and represents an approach that is, at least in part, novel. The effect of the intervention is investigated in a trial so that the new knowledge generated can be incorporated into clinical practice. (Valentini, 2025)
Cohort studies follow groups of people (‘cohorts’) over a long period of time (often spanning many years). Within such groups, it is possible to investigate whether there are potential risk factors for the occurrence of a specific so-called endpoint (for example, a particular disease), as the risk factor is present in some of the individuals in the cohort but not in others. In cohort studies, a distinction must be made between:
Prospective cohort study: the event under investigation (for example, a specific disease) has not yet occurred, but potential risk factors can be measured, and the group is followed over a longer period to determine in which individuals the event occurs and whether this could be related to the potential risk factors.
Retrospective cohort study: the event under investigation has already occurred and risk factors are examined retrospectively.
(IQWiQ, Müllner, 2002), ‘The Cohort Study’. In: ‘Successful Scientific Work in the Clinical Setting’)
Non-inferiority trials investigate whether a new treatment for a condition is not inferior to the standard treatment for that condition, or whether it is not inferior to the standard treatment by more than a predefined margin. (Piaggio et al., 2006),
A placebo is an exact replica of a medicinal product in appearance, but contains no pharmacologically active substances. In clinical trials, placebos are often used in the control group to test whether the medicinal product being trialled in the intervention group has any objective pharmacological efficacy. (AOK Lexicon, AOK Psychology)
‘Pseudonymised’ means that all data that directly identifies you (e.g. name, date of birth, address, etc.) is replaced by a combination of characters or a code, known as a pseudonym. This internal identifier, along with your associated health data and biological samples, can then no longer be directly linked to you. However, the link to your identity can be re-established if necessary.