Design and Implementation of Observational Studies Emulating a Target Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Target trial emulation (TTE) is increasingly used to estimate causal effects with observational data, yet its clinical applications and methodologic quality remain unclear.

Objective

To characterize the clinical scenarios where TTE has been applied, assess methodologic limitations in design and implementation, and provide structured recommendations for strengthening future practice.

Design, setting, and participants

This cross-sectional study searched PubMed for TTE studies published from January 1, 2017, to December 15, 2023, in clinical journals in the top Journal Impact Factor quartile, supplemented by studies from 3 prior scoping reviews. Eligible studies explicitly aimed to emulate a target trial using observational data. Data were extracted using a st

SUBMITTER: Ren Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921535 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature