This document discusses the differences between case reports and case series in medical research. It notes that case reports typically include 1-2 cases while case series include 3-10 cases. Case series can be used to evaluate therapy safety and diagnostic accuracy without a control group. The document reviews criteria for case series, including clearly stating it is a case series in the title and methods section. It concludes that while both case reports and case series have limitations, they provide useful preliminary medical information if prepared adequately.

1. How many patients does
case series should have? In
comparison to case reports
An Academic presentation by
Dr. Nancy Agnes, Head, Technical Operations, Pubrica
Group: www.pubrica.com
Email: sales@pubrica.com

2. In brief
Introduction
When to consider a Case Series?
When is a High Acceptance Rate Possible?
Merits and Demerits
Criteria
Conclusion
About Pubrica
References
Outline
TODAY'S DISCUSSION

3. Contd...
IN BRIEF
The area of medical research is constantly developing, with
more data being collected every day.
Several studies in clinical research have been classed as
descriptive or analytic.
Cross-sectional research, ecological correlational studies,
case report writing, case series report writing, and
surveillance studies are examples of descriptive studies.

4. On the other hand, analytical investigations to
investigate a hypothesis concerning a causal link
between exposure and result.
Because this article focuses on case reports and case
series, the analysis will be limited to only those types
of research.

5. INTRODUCTION
Contd...
The clinical case report has a longstanding tradition in the
medical literature. While the scientific value of case reports has
diminished as more modern research methods have gained
traction, they are still published in many medical journals.
Some researchers argue that it has minimal relevance for medical
advancement, while others say it is underestimated.
We hoped to give multiple perspectives on the benefits and
drawbacks of the case report genre.

6. A case report typically consists of one or two cases. A case series or case series report typically includes
three to 10 cases. Naturalistic and descriptive case reports are the most common.
They can, however, be speculative and experimental at times. Recognizing innovations is arguably the
most significant advantage of case reporting.
It is the sole means to report unexpected, uncontrolled observations on symptoms, clinical findings, illness
progression, complications of therapies, disease linkages, pharmacological side effects, and so on.
In summary, anything unusual or previously unseen may be essential for the medical community and
should be disclosed.
A case report may sensitize readers, making it easier to discover similar or identical instances.

8. WHEN TO CONSIDER A CASE SERIES?
If you plan to publish your medical case study report writing
and case series, keep in mind that your reports should be the
first to document medical breakthroughs, such as reporting rare
diseases in recognizing adverse or beneficial outcomes of
intervention or novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
Furthermore, the major goal was to develop ideas that might
be investigated in future research with higher methodological
rigour.
Contd...

9. As a result, case series may be used to evaluate therapy
safety and diagnostic accuracy, and no control group is
required with appropriate long-term follow-up.
There is a requirement for preliminary evidence to build the
notion that a therapy may be beneficial to have your
research financed. In this scenario, these reports are
frequently the first level of evidence.

10. WHEN IS A HIGH ACCEPTANCE RATE
POSSIBLE?
A case series generally incorporates information gathered from multiple
sources and includes one or more specifics about the disease,
treatment, diagnostic procedures, and so on, whereas a case report has
much less data and may consist of detailed demographic information.
Acceptance of the case series takes longer than acceptance of the
case report by any publisher.
Case reports are professional narratives that give feedback on clinical
practice standards, a framework for adverse occurrences, and early
cost and effectiveness indicators.

11. MERITS AND DEMERITS
Both case series and best-case report writing have
advantages and disadvantages. Case series are extremely
valuable in rare cases where a new type of sickness or
ailment impacts the person.
Furthermore, the publishers may make a few concessions
while assessing a case series because of the biased content
based on the editors' personal beliefs.
Moreover, case series have excellent external validity, little
influence on the treatment choice process, a diverse variety
of patients, and are affordable.
Contd...

12. In terms of limitations, the clinical case study report writing lacked comparison groups, and data
collection was frequently insufficient, prone to bias, selection bias, and measurement bias. Case
reports, on the other hand, enable healthcare practitioners to comprehend the instances and take less
time to create.
However, case reports may not contain all the pertinent and minute facts required to treat the
individuals. A case series does not use randomization, making it more efficient and cost-effective.

13. Table 1: Role of case reports/series in the medical literature

14. A few criteria need to be followed whenever a case series is developed.
Title - Include the terms "case series" and the area of concentration in the title.
Abstract - Introduction - Emphasize the case series' unifying theme.
Methods – what was done, how and when.
Results – what was found.
Conclusion – what we have learned.
Introduction – emphasize the scientific background and rationale.
Design –the research registry number (ResearchRegistry.com or ClinicalTrials.gov or ISRCTN) list the
intended population, process manner, and end outcome.
(ii) Analysis – While analyzing, descriptive statistics and techniques must be employed, and no
comparison tests yielding p values should be performed.
(iii) Reporting – Every follow-up in a case series must provide the topic information and progress,
comprehensive details, and analysis.
CRITERIA

15. Table 2: Tool for evaluating the methodological quality of case reports and case series

16. CONCLUSION
In the clinical research arena, both case series and case
reports are intended for use by healthcare practitioners.
Aside from the differences between a case series and a
case report, they provide reliable information with prompt
intervention.
If both are adequately prepared from the start, they can
even be used as alternatives to another level of studies
with greater confidence than the former.
Reporting case series in a uniform and statistically suitable
manner would allow for accurate interpretation and future
meta-analyses to provide long-term outcome estimates.

17. ABOUT PUBRICA
Pubrica's team of researchers and writers create scientific and
medical research articles, which may be important resources for
authors and practitioners.
Pubrica medical writers assist you in creating and revising the
introduction by alerting the reader to gaps in the chosen study
subject.
Our professionals understand the order in which the hypothesis
topic is followed by the broad subject, the issue, and the
backdrop.

18. REFERENCES
Konala, V. M., Adapa, S., Naramala, S., Chenna, A., Lamichhane, S.,
Garlapati, P. R., … &Gayam, V. (2020). A case series of patients
coinfected with influenza and COVID-19. Journal of investigative medicine
high impact case reports, 8, 2324709620934674.
Tahvildari, A., Arbabi, M., Farsi, Y., Jamshidi, P., Hasanzadeh, S., Calcagno,
T. M., … &Mirsaeidi, M. (2020). Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment
of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: a systematic review of case reports
and case series. Frontiers in medicine, 7, 231.
Nissen, Trygve, and Rolf Wynn. "The clinical case report: a review of its
merits and limitations." BMC research notes 7.1 (2014): 1-7.

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