Clinical trials provide valuable information, but their results may differ somewhat from outcomes seen in clinical practice. One cause of such differences is the selection criteria used in clinical trials. Patients in clinical trials tend to be younger than patients seen in clinical practice, and they have fewer comorbidities, so their outcomes tend to be better. In this Expert Commentary, Dr Kim Eagle discusses this and other differences between clinical trials and clinical practice and describes information that can be gained from patient registries.

 

Patient registries are databases containing extensive information on the treatments and outcomes of patients in typical settings. Dr Eagle describes the types of information that can be derived from patient registries, such as the adoption of new technology or practice guidelines. Patient registries can also show regional variations in treatment and how that affects outcomes. Statistical analysis of the data can point to factors that may influence patient outcomes and should be investigated further in clinical trials.

 

Dr Eagle is the Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine and Clinical Director of the Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan.