Glossary

What is a Clinical Study Report (CSR)?

Bioanalytical Analysis
Reporting

A Clinical Study Report (CSR) is a detailed document that provides a comprehensive overview of a clinical study, including its background, design, methodology, results, and conclusions. The following are key elements that are typically included in a CSR:

  1. Title Page and Table of Contents: The CSR should have a title page that includes the study title, date of completion, and authorship, as well as a table of contents that provides an overview of the document’s structure.

  2. Introduction: The introduction should provide a brief overview of the study rationale, objectives, and design, as well as any relevant background information.

  3. Methods: The methods section should provide a detailed description of the study design, including the study population, inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomization procedures, blinding, treatment protocols, and any specific procedures for data collection and analysis.

  4. Results: The results section should provide a detailed description of the study results, including the demographic characteristics of the study population, primary and secondary endpoints, adverse events, and any other relevant findings. This section should also include any statistical analyses that were performed and their results.

  5. Discussion: The discussion should provide an interpretation of the study results and their implications, as well as a discussion of any limitations or weaknesses of the study design or analysis.

  6. Conclusions: The conclusions should summarize the main findings of the study and their implications for clinical practice or further research.

  7. References: The references section should list all of the sources cited in the CSR, following the appropriate referencing style.

  8. Appendices: The appendices should include any additional materials that are relevant to the study, such as informed consent forms, study protocols, data collection forms, and any other supporting documentation.

Overall, a well-written CSR is essential for communicating the results and implications of a clinical study to a wide audience, including healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, and the general public. The key elements of a CSR should provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the study design, methodology, and results, as well as the implications of the study findings for clinical practice and future research.