Questions for and Articles about Prognosis
I. Are the results in the study valid?Primary Guides
Was there a representative and well-defined sample of patients at a similar point in the course of the disease?
Was follow-up sufficiently long and complete?
Secondary Guides
Were objective and unbiased outcome criteria used?
Was there adjustment for important prognostic factors?
II. What are the results?
How large is the likelihood of the outcome event(s) in a specified period of time?
How precise are the estimates of likelihood?
III. Will the results help me in caring for my patients?
Were the study patients similar to my own?
Will the results lead directly to selecting or avoiding therapy?
Are the results useful for reassuring or counseling patients?