---
title: >-
  Pragmatic considerations for negative control outcome studies to guide
  non-randomized comparative analyses: A narrative review.
description: >-
  Explore this publication on real-world evidence: Pragmatic considerations for
  negative control outcome studies to guide non-randomized comparative analyses:
  A…
date: '2023-01-01'
category: Publications
tags:
  - M Alan Brookhart
  - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  - Abstract/Manuscript
  - David Pritchard
  - Approval & Commercialization
  - 'Yes'
  - Amgen
  - R&D
canonical_url: >-
  https://www.headwaterscience.com/resources/publications/author-m-alan-brookhart/pragmatic-considerations-for-negative-control-outcome/
source: Headwater
license: © 2026 Headwater. All rights reserved.
slug: pragmatic-considerations-for-negative-control-outcome
id: 4p4kdtl1okU6i5HiEFKDRd
contentType: article
---

## Challenge

Negative control outcome studies are increasingly used to evaluate unmeasured confounding in comparative effectiveness research, but practical guidance on how to select, implement, and interpret NCOs in real-world pharmacoepidemiologic settings was lacking.

## Solution

Target RWE researchers co-authored a narrative review in Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety synthesizing pragmatic considerations for NCO study design, including domain-based confounding identification, NCO selection criteria, and interpretation frameworks for non-null findings.

## Use Cases/Links

[Read the publication](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pds.5623)