A question about the course of disease
Prognostic information may concern recurrence or progression from a specified starting point. Define the outcome and time horizon. An association in a population is not an infallible prediction for a person.
Assess added information
Examine adjustment for other factors and whether the marker adds useful information. A model may distinguish higher and lower risks while estimating absolute probabilities poorly; discrimination and calibration are different properties.
Separate prognosis from treatment effect
A marker associated with worse prognosis does not establish greater benefit from a particular treatment. That question requires comparative evidence about treatment effects and validation for the intended use.
Interpretation limits
Prognostic and predictive roles are different, even when they concern the same biomarker.
Original references
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Research questions
Select tools by method, population and purpose. A thematic connection does not validate use in every case.
Educational content for framing research. Consult the original document, study population and methodology before interpreting a conclusion. Methodology