Study relationship types

Clinical research studies may relate to each other, forming clusters of inter-related research. Being able to store these relationships allows the MDR to identify studies related to those already selected by a user, and thus help in finding relevant material.

The relationship types were all developed by ECRIN, and relate to relationships found particularly within clinical research. In almost all cases they come in related pairs, allowing both ‘views’ of a relationship.

id	name	description	source
11	Is a sub-study of	This study is a sub-study or sub-protocol undertaken at the same time as <the target study>.	ECRIN
12	Includes as a sub-study	Has <the target study> as a sub-study or sub-protocol, undertaken at the same time as this study.	ECRIN
13	Is in the same series as	This study is in a sequence that began with <the target study>.	ECRIN
14	Is the first of a sequence including	This study began a sequence that includes <the target study>.	ECRIN
15	Is a feasibility study for	This study is a feasibility or pilot study for <the target study>.	ECRIN
16	Is preceded by the feasibility study	This study was preceded by <the target study> as a feasibility or pilot study.	ECRIN
17	Is a later phase variant of	For trials using the phase I to IV classification, this study is a later phase continuation of <the target study>.	ECRIN
18	Is an earlier phase variant of	For trials using the phase I to IV classification, this study is an earlier phase precursor to <the target study>.	ECRIN
19	Is a continuation of	This study uses some or all of the same subject population as <the target study>.	ECRIN
20	Is continued by	This study has some or all of the same subject population targeted by <the target study>.	ECRIN
21	Is a repeat of	This study uses a different population but the same or similar protocol as <the target study>.	ECRIN
22	Is repeated by	This study is repeated by <the target study>, with the same or similar protocol but using a different population.	ECRIN
23	has an expanded access version	This study has <the target study> as an expanded access version, (for people who cannot enrol in the trial but who may benefit from the product under investigation).	ECRIN (ClinicalTrials.gov)
24	is an expanded access version of	This study is an expanded access version of <the target study>, catering for people who cannot enrol in the trial but who may benefit from the product under investigation.	ECRIN (ClinicalTrials.gov)
25	Includes target as one of a group of studies	This study includes <the target study>, which is not registered independently. Instead it shares this registry entry with one or more other non-registered studies.	ECRIN (BioLINCC)
26	Is included within target (group of studies)	This study is registered in another registry, along with one of two or more other studies, all sharing <the target study>'s registry entry and id.	ECRIN (BioLINCC)
27	Has link listed in registry but nature of link unclear	This study is linked to <the target study> within the registry entry, but thew nature of the linkage is not clear.	ECRIN
0	Not yet known	Dummy value supplied by default on entity creation.	ECRIN