Study relationship types

Last updated: 19/04/2022

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	use_in_data_entry	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>.	true	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.	true	ECRIN
13	Is in the same series as	This study is in a sequence that began with <the target study>.	true	ECRIN
14	Is the first of a sequence including	This study began a sequence that includes <the target study>.	true	ECRIN
15	Is a feasibility study for	This study is a feasibility or pilot study for <the target study>.	true	ECRIN
16	Is preceded by the feasibility study	This study was preceded by <the target study> as a feasibility or pilot study.	true	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>.	true	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>.	true	ECRIN
19	Is a continuation of	This study uses some or all of the same subject population as <the target study>.	true	ECRIN
20	Is continued by	This study has some or all of the same subject population targeted by <the target study>.	true	ECRIN
21	Is a repeat of	This study uses a different population but the same or similar protocol as <the target study>.	true	ECRIN
22	Is repeated by	This study is repeated by <the target study>, with the same or similar protocol but using a different population.	true	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).	true	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.	true	ECRIN (ClinicalTrials.gov)
25	Includes target as one of a group of non-registered studies	This study includes <the target study>. That study is not registered independently, but instead shares this registry entry with one or more other non-registered studies.	false	ECRIN (BioLINCC)
26	Non registered but included within a registered study group	This study is registered as <the target study>, along with one or more other studies that share the same registry entry and id.	false	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 the nature of the linkage is not clear.	false	ECRIN (WHO)
28	Includes target as one of a group of registered studies	This study includes <the target study>, which is registered elsewhere along with one or more other registered studies, forming a group that collectively equates to this study.	false	ECRIN (WHO)
29	Registered and is included elsewhere in group	This study is also registered, along with one or more other studies that together form an equivalent group, as <the target study>.	false	ECRIN (WHO)
0	Not yet known	Dummy value supplied by default on entity creation.	false	ECRIN