Search

Cohort studies (CS) are longitudinal, observational and analytical studies. As one of the most utilized designs in clinical research, CS provides high levels of evidence, depending on the type of scenario in which they are applied. The objectives of CS are to determine the association between an exposure factor and the development of a disease or event of interest, based on the estimation of risks. Additionally, CS aim to provide insight into the natural history or the clinical course of an event of interest as well as generate results with regard to determine survival; study protective studies and prognostic factors. CS have various applications, for example: epidemiological outbreak research, causality studies, evaluation of educational interventions, etc. Theoretically, the method to generate the best approximations is through the use of a prospective CS; however, these usually require long periods of time performing follow-up to obtain useful results; therefore, it is possible to use other strategies, such as retrospective CS among others, which may be more feasible with respect to resources and monitoring times. The aim of this manuscript was to generate a document with reference to the description, methodology and applications of the CS in health sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Patología Clínica y Medicina de Laboratorio is the property of Federacion Mexicana de Patologia Clinica y de la Asociacion Latinoamericana de Patologia Clinica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)