Term of the Day

Natural History Study

A natural history study is a preplanned intended to track the course of the disease. Its purpose is to identify demographic, genetic, environmental, and other variables (e.g., treatment modalities, concomitant medications) that correlate with the disease’s development and outcomes. Natural history studies are likely to include patients receiving the current standard of care and/or emergent care, which may alter some manifestations of the disease.

P

Performance outcome (PerfO)

A performance outcome (PerfO) is a type of clinical outcome assessment (COA). A measurement based on standardized task(s) actively undertaken by a patient according to a set of instructions. A PerfO assessment may be administered by an appropriately trained individual or completed by the patient independently. PerfO assessments include:

  • Measures of gait speed (e.g., timed 25 foot walk test using a stopwatch or using sensors on ankles)
  • Measures of memory (e.g., word recall test)