Article Type : Case Series
A Case Series is a descriptive study that tracks a small group of patients (typically 3 to 10) who have a known exposure, a similar medical treatment, or a specific disease. Unlike a single Case Report, a Case Series identifies patterns, shared clinical features, or common responses to a new therapy, often serving as a precursor to larger clinical trials.
GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS
Word Count: Typically ranges from 2,500 to 3,500 words, excluding references and tables, to allow for the comparison of multiple patients.
Visual Elements: Authors are generally limited to a maximum of 6 to 8 tables or figures. Comparative tables that summarize the demographics and outcomes of all patients in the series are highly encouraged.
Title: The title should be specific and include the words "Case Series." It should highlight the unifying theme (e.g., "Clinical Outcomes of [Treatment] in Five Patients with [Condition]").
Abstract: A structured summary (maximum 250 words) including Background, Case Descriptions, Results, and Conclusions.
Keywords: Provide 3 to 6 specific terms that identify the condition, the shared intervention, or the specific patient population.
Introduction: Define the clinical problem or rare condition. Explain the rationale for grouping these specific cases together and how the series contributes more evidence than a single case could.
Methods: Describe the criteria used for selecting the patients in the series. Define the setting (e.g., a single tertiary care center) and the timeframe during which the patients were treated.
- Aggregate Data: Often presented as a summary table including age, sex, and primary comorbidities for all patients.
- Clinical Narratives: Briefly describe each patient’s unique course, focusing on the similarities and deviations from the group pattern.
- Intervention: Detail the standardized treatment or diagnostic approach applied across the series.
Results (Outcomes):
- Primary Outcomes: Report the success rate of the intervention across the group.
- Comparative Analysis: Highlight differences in how individual patients responded to the same treatment.
- Follow-up Data: Provide the mean or median follow-up duration for the cohort and the status of each patient at the end of the study period.
Discussion: Evaluate the shared patterns observed. Discuss the strengths and limitations of the series, acknowledging the lack of a control group. Compare your findings with existing literature to suggest why these patients behaved similarly or differently.
Conclusion: Summarize the clinical implications. State whether the series justifies a change in practice or if it warrants a larger, controlled prospective study.
References: A typical Case Series includes 20 to 30 references.
Ethical Considerations:
- Informed Consent: A statement confirming that individual Informed Consent was obtained from every patient in the series.
- IRB Approval: Since a Case Series involves a cohort, authors should state whether Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or an exemption was obtained.
