CRF
Also written as: CRF — Case Report Form
Abbreviation for Case Report Form, the standardized instrument used to collect participant data in a clinical trial.
Full Definition
CRF stands for Case Report Form and is the designated data-recording instrument for each trial participant, encompassing all variables required by the study protocol. In dental research, CRFs are designed to capture clinical indices, radiographic readings, patient questionnaire scores, and adverse event data. Regulatory guidance such as ICH E6(R2) specifies requirements for CRF design, completion, and audit trails. Editors should ensure the abbreviation is expanded at first mention and that the term is not confused with 'clinical research facility' or other domain-specific expansions. The transition to electronic CRFs (eCRFs) has introduced additional terminology around data validation rules and audit trails, which may appear in methods sections.
Usage
Usage note: Always expand CRF at first use. Be aware that CRF may also stand for 'corticotropin-releasing factor' in biomedical texts; context is critical.
In Context
- "Examiners completed a CRF for each participant immediately following the clinical assessment." — Data collection procedures in a clinical trial
- "The eCRF system used in this trial incorporated automatic range checks to minimize data entry errors." — Data management section of a dental multicentre study