Cohort
A cohort is a defined group of people with certain shared characteristics who are studied as part of a scientific study and are often observed over an extended period of time.
Detailed description
Cohorts are used in medical research to examine the progression of diseases, risk factors, or the long-term health status of specific groups of people. Depending on the research question, medical data may be collected over a specific time period, and biological samples such as blood or tissue may also be gathered.
By comparing individuals with different characteristics or exposures, researchers can investigate associations between potential risk factors and health outcomes. Participation in the study and the use of personal data and biological samples are subject to relevant ethical and data protection guidelines.
One example is the DZIF transplant cohort. It provides medical data and biological samples from patients who have undergone organ or stem cell transplants for research purposes.