Checklist for reporting a cohort study

This checklist is based on the STROBE guidelines.  Read more


Complete now

Or download and complete offline

Instructions

Complete this checklist by entering the page numbers from your manuscript where readers will find each of the items listed below.

Your article may not currently address all the items on the checklist. Please modify your text to include the missing information. If you are certain that an item does not apply, please write "n/a" and provide a short explanation.

Download your completed checklist and include it as an extra file when you submit to a journal.

Title and abstract

1a

Title

Indicate the study’s design with a commonly used term in the title or the abstract. Read more

1b

Abstract

Provide in the abstract an informative and balanced summary of what was done and what was found. Read more

Introduction

2.

Background / rationale

Explain the scientific background and rationale for the investigation being reported. Read more

3.

Objectives

State specific objectives, including any prespecified hypotheses. Read more

Methods

4.

Study design*

Present key elements of study design early in the paper. Read more

5.

Setting*

Describe the setting, locations, and relevant dates, including periods of recruitment, exposure, follow-up, and data collection. Read more

6a

Eligibility criteria*

Give the eligibility criteria, and the sources and methods of selection of participants. Describe methods of follow-up. Read more

6b

Eligibility criteria*

For matched studies, give matching criteria and number of exposed and unexposed. Read more

7.

Variables*

Clearly define all outcomes, exposures, predictors, potential confounders, and effect modifiers. Give diagnostic criteria, if applicable. Read more

8.

Data sources / measurement*

For each variable of interest give sources of data and details of methods of assessment (measurement). Describe comparability of assessment methods if there is more than one group. Give information separately for for exposed and unexposed groups if applicable. Read more

9.

Bias*

Describe any efforts to address potential sources of bias. Read more

10.

Study size*

Explain how the study size was arrived at. Read more

11.

Quantitative variables*

Explain how quantitative variables were handled in the analyses. If applicable, describe which groupings were chosen, and why. Read more

12a

Statistical methods*

Describe all statistical methods, including those used to control for confounding. Read more

12b

Statistical methods*

Describe any methods used to examine subgroups and interactions. Read more

12c

Statistical methods*

Explain how missing data were addressed. Read more

12d

Statistical methods*

If applicable, explain how loss to follow-up was addressed. Read more

12e

Statistical methods*

Describe any sensitivity analyses. Read more

Results

13a

Participants*

Report numbers of individuals at each stage of study—eg numbers potentially eligible, examined for eligibility, confirmed eligible, included in the study, completing follow-up, and analysed. Give information separately for for exposed and unexposed groups if applicable. Read more

13b

Participants*

Give reasons for non-participation at each stage. Read more

13c

Participants*

Consider use of a flow diagram. Read more

14a

Descriptive data*

Give characteristics of study participants (eg demographic, clinical, social) and information on exposures and potential confounders. Give information separately for exposed and unexposed groups if applicable. Read more

14b

Descriptive data*

Indicate number of participants with missing data for each variable of interest. Read more

14c

Descriptive data*

Summarise follow-up time (eg, average and total amount). Read more

15.

Outcome data*

Report numbers of outcome events or summary measures over time. Give information separately for exposed and unexposed groups if applicable. Read more

16a

Main results*

Give unadjusted estimates and, if applicable, confounder-adjusted estimates and their precision (eg, 95% confidence interval). Make clear which confounders were adjusted for and why they were included. Read more

16b

Main results*

Report category boundaries when continuous variables were categorized. Read more

16c

Main results*

If relevant, consider translating estimates of relative risk into absolute risk for a meaningful time period. Read more

17.

Other analyses*

Report other analyses done—eg analyses of subgroups and interactions, and sensitivity analyses. Read more

Discussion

18.

Key results

Summarise key results with reference to study objectives. Read more

19.

Limitations

Discuss limitations of the study, taking into account sources of potential bias or imprecision. Discuss both direction and magnitude of any potential bias. Read more

20.

Interpretation

Give a cautious overall interpretation considering objectives, limitations, multiplicity of analyses, results from similar studies, and other relevant evidence. Read more

21.

Generalisability

Discuss the generalisability (external validity) of the study results. Read more

Other Information

22.

Funding

Give the source of funding and the role of the funders for the present study and, if applicable, for the original study on which the present article is based. Read more


To acknowledge this checklist in your methods, please state "We used the STROBE cohort checklist when writing our report [citation]". Then cite this checklist as von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gotzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies..


The STROBE checklist is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY