TY - JOUR
T1 - Fertility studies in female childhood cancer survivors: selecting appropriate comparison groups
AU - van den Berg, Mh
AU - van Dulmen-den Broeder, E.
AU - Overbeek, A.
AU - Ronckers, Cm
AU - van Dorp, W.
AU - Kremer, Lc
AU - van den Heuvel-Eibrink, Mm
AU - Huizinga, Ga
AU - Loonen, Jj
AU - Versluys, Ab
AU - Bresters, D.
AU - Lambalk, Cb
AU - Kaspers, Gjl
AU - van Leeuwen, Fe
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Little information is available on the use of appropriate comparison groups for studies investigating late effects of childhood cancer. Two comparison groups in a nationwide study on reproductive function and ovarian reserve in female childhood cancer survivors were recruited (The Dutch Childhood Oncology Group Long-Term Effects After Childhood Cancer Cohort Study). Experiences of this process are reported. Two types of comparison groups were used: sisters of participating survivors and controls from the general population. A total of 352 out of 580 (61%) of the participating survivors who had a sister gave permission to invite them for the study. The participation rate of sisters was much higher than control participants from the general population (74% versus 21%, respectively), whereas considerably more effort was involved in recruiting controls from the general population. Participants in this group were significantly older and more highly educated than sister controls (P < 0.001 for both groups). No significant differences were observed between both types of comparison groups in several fertility-related characteristics, suggesting minimal bias owing to selective participation. Researchers setting up a study to investigate late effects among survivors of childhood cancer should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of using various types of comparison groups
AB - Little information is available on the use of appropriate comparison groups for studies investigating late effects of childhood cancer. Two comparison groups in a nationwide study on reproductive function and ovarian reserve in female childhood cancer survivors were recruited (The Dutch Childhood Oncology Group Long-Term Effects After Childhood Cancer Cohort Study). Experiences of this process are reported. Two types of comparison groups were used: sisters of participating survivors and controls from the general population. A total of 352 out of 580 (61%) of the participating survivors who had a sister gave permission to invite them for the study. The participation rate of sisters was much higher than control participants from the general population (74% versus 21%, respectively), whereas considerably more effort was involved in recruiting controls from the general population. Participants in this group were significantly older and more highly educated than sister controls (P < 0.001 for both groups). No significant differences were observed between both types of comparison groups in several fertility-related characteristics, suggesting minimal bias owing to selective participation. Researchers setting up a study to investigate late effects among survivors of childhood cancer should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of using various types of comparison groups
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.06.002
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2014.06.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 25047538
SN - 1472-6483
VL - 29
SP - 352
EP - 361
JO - Reproductive BioMedicine Online
JF - Reproductive BioMedicine Online
IS - 3
ER -