The Application of Lag Times in Cancer Pharmacoepidemiology: A Narrative Review

Autor: Blánaid Hicks, James A. Kaye, Laurent Azoulay, Kasper Bruun Kristensen, Laurel A. Habel, Anton Pottegård
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Hicks, B, Kaye, J A, Azoulay, L, Bruun Kristensen, K, Habel, L A & Pottegård, A 2023, ' The application of lag times in cancer pharmacoepidemiology: a narrative review ', Annals of Epidemiology, vol. 84, pp. 25-32 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.05.004
ISSN: 1047-2797
Popis: PurposeWith the increasing utilization of medications worldwide, coupled with the increasing availability of long-term data, there is a growing opportunity and need for robust studies evaluating drug–cancer associations. One methodology of importance in such studies is the application of lag times.MethodsIn this narrative review, we discuss the main reasons for using lag times.ResultsNamely, we discuss the typically long latency period of cancer concerning both tumor promoter and initiator effects and outline why cancer latency is a key consideration when choosing a lag time. We also discuss how the use of lag times can help reduce protopathic and detection bias. Finally, we present practical advice for implementing lag periods.ConclusionsIn general, we recommend that researchers consider the information that generated the hypothesis as well as clinical and biological knowledge to inform lag period selection. In addition, given that latency periods are usually unknown, we also advocate that researchers examine multiple lag periods in sensitivity analyses as well as duration analyses and flexible modeling approaches.
Databáze: OpenAIRE