Selected Principles of the Measurement and Setting of Priorities of Death, Disability, and Suffering in Clinical Trials

Measurements of the cause of death and of disability and suffering caused by nonfatal events add important dimensions to clinical trials even when mortality is the major outcome event. Assessing the cause of death requires special attention to criteria, documentation, and adjudication. Disability is measured through having patients perform objective tasks and functions, such as those related to "daily living," and assesses health from the …