case study abstract

An abstract for a case study, when it’s needed and how to make one

A case study in a different discipline can have different characteristics. Learn in this article everything you should know about it.

There is no doubt that case studies are a unique way to gain insight into the professional practices of any profession, as well as how they operate in a bigger picture.

A case study in a different discipline can have different characteristics. A case study, for example, cannot guide subsequent treatment but can help frame relevant research questions. Case studies also provide valuable teaching material, demonstrating both classical and unusual presentations which may confront the practitioner.  

The cover letter and abstract are vital parts of a submission package and are crucial for clearing the initial editorial screening at the journal end. These are the elements that the editor reads first, and based on these, form his or her impression of the manuscript. Some editors screen papers by reading the cover letter and abstract and do not read the entire paper if they do not find these interesting enough.

What is an abstract in case study, and what is its purpose?

An introduction to a topic normally appears in case studies, but they don’t require citations or viewpoints from the author. Consider a case study as primarily a record of a treatment’s progress, not a personal story. A case study should not contain editorial or adversarial remarks. The most effective approach is to tell a story and allow the end product to speak for itself.

It is generally a good idea to confine yourself to specific details and facts when writing case studies. What really happened should be outlined fairly concisely in a case study. We should avoid speculating about the mechanism or prognosis of the disease. 

Structure of abstract in case study

A narrative abstract describes the entire paper shortly and concisely. Narrative abstracts do not have headings. By composing a logical story from the paper, the author aims to sum up the content.

Abstracts with subheadings are structured. In basic scientific and clinical research, structured abstracts have become more popular since they streamline information and include certain details. Researchers who conduct article searches online will greatly benefit from this. Readers often decide whether or not to download a full article based on the abstract displayed by a search engine to save time. 

Readers are more likely to enjoy structured abstracts since they contain all the essential data they need to decide to read the entire article. Please follow the guidelines below when writing an abstract.

• A one- to two-sentence introduction summarizing the whole article and describing the background of the case study.
• A brief summary of the case and the investigation conducted is given in several sentences. This case is described in detail, including its diagnosis and therapeutic approach.
• Provide details about the patient’s complaint and its outcome. 
• If the patient’s progress was empirically measured, refer to those measures.
• Describe correlations and apparent inconsistencies between the foregoing subsections. 
• You may wish to summarize the key points covered within a sentence or two, depending on the situation.

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About Aayushi Zaveri

Aayushi Zaveri majored in biotechnology engineering. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Bioentrepreneurship from Karolinska Institute. She is interested in health and diseases, global health, socioeconomic development, and women's health. As a science enthusiast, she is keen in learning more about the scientific world and wants to play a part in making a difference.

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Medical Case Report Abstract and Title Guidelines

What is a Medical Case Report Abstract Used For?

Medical and clinical case reports (or “clinical vignettes”) are integral in recording unusual and rare cases of diseases, disorders, and injuries. They provide not only the details of a given case, but also briefly include background and establish the wider significance of a case in the medical literature.

Before researchers will even have a chance to read your case report, they will likely be searching through abstract indexes (e.g., via search engines such as PubMed or ScienceDirect ) to locate information relevant to their own medical research. Therefore, both the title and brief abstract are crucial to providing critical details about your case report. The following guidelines and case report templates will help you compose a title and abstract for medical case reports submitted to case report journals.

Formatting to Fit Your Target Journal

The information in this guide is generally applicable to case reports intended for submission to most medical journals. However, each journal has its own guidelines for content and formatting provided in the journal’s “Instructions for authors”, “Author guidelines” or “Preparing your manuscript” section. Read various medical case reports to gain a sense of the different formatting styles used by specific journals.

Case Report Journals

Some medical journals publish a limited number of case reports. There are also numerous respected, peer-reviewed medical journals that specialize in case reports; many are open access journals. A few examples are  Journal of Medical Case Reports ,  Oxford Medical Case Reports ,  BJR Case Reports , and  International Journal of Surgery Case Reports.

Case Report Title

As the first element of a case report that readers will see, the title should be  informative ,  highly relevant  to the subject, and  concise . It should attract the attention of researchers and other readers of a journal while remaining authentic and convincing.

Useful Terms to Include in the Title

• Case-related terms:  presentation, unusual case, rare case, challenges, complications, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment
• Patient-related terms:  patient, adult, child, infant, adolescent, elderly, man/woman

Article-related terms such as  case study  and  case report  are generally considered redundant and may detract from the interest of your title, so use them sparingly (but check the author instructions of the target journal prior to submission).

Clinical Vignette Title Examples:

• “An  unusual   presentation  of primary small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in an  elderly woman”
• “Challenges  in the management of mycotic splenic arteriovenous fistula in a cirrhotic  patient”
• “CREST syndrome: a  rare cause  of chronic upper-gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in  adults”
• “Primary tuberculous dacryocystitis: two  cases mimicking  tumors of the lacrimal sac ”

Case Report Abstract

The abstract must be concise, complete, and comprehensible to readers before they have read the article.

How to Organize an Abstract

1.  background (1-2 sentences).

First, explain why this case is being reported and its novelty or clinical relevance.

2.  Case presentation  (3-6 sentences)

Give a brief description of the patient’s medical and demographic details, their diagnosis, interventions or complications, and the outcomes. Level of detail should be determined by importance to the novelty and outcomes of the case.

3.  Discussion/Conclusion  (1-2 sentences)

Briefly summarize the clinical impact and/or implications of this case and provide suggestions for the clinical area. Emphasize aspects of the case that may have broader implications, suggest precautions that should be taken, or provide interesting topics for future research.

Medical Case Report Abstract Templates

Example #1: a case of injury.

We herein report a case of a [patient age and gender] with an unusual case of  [injury] . The  [injury]  consisted of features typical of  [common features of the injury/disease/disorder] , with additional  [additional features of case, if any] , signifying a  [diagnosis/complications] . Features of this case are discussed together with its implications, including  [implications of case] .  [Additional measures taken—treatment/surgery/etc.]  was undertaken due to  [reason for measures] .

Example #2: A Case of Disease/Disorder

[Disease/disorder]  is a rare condition characterized by  [symptoms] . Its presentation is usually  [sporadic/chronic/acute] . Usually seen in patients who are  [typical demographics of patient] ,  [disease]  presentation in  [this specific category of patient]  is rare. Symptoms at presentation depend on  [parts of body/patient’s environment] . Patients with  [disease/disorder]  may present with  [additional major symptoms] . We herein report a rare presentation of  [disease/disorder]  in a  [patient demographic—age/gender/race/etc.] . who suffered from  [corresponding symptoms or co-morbid diseases] .  [Diagnostics/tests]  revealed  [results of tests/complication] . The patient underwent  [surgery/treatment]  and was given  [drugs/intubation/etc.] . Recovery was  [description of recovery] . In spite of a wide range of therapeutic options for the management of  [disease/disorder]  described in the literature, the efficacy of those available therapies is  [unknown/not well established/open/etc.] .

Wordvice Resources

For more input on how to come up with the perfect title for your report, how to write abstracts for research papers in general, or how to impress the editor of your target journal with the perfect cover letter , head over to the Wordvice academic resources page. And ensure your chances of journal publication with our English editing services , which include Paper Editing and Manuscript Editing Services .

How to Write a Conference Abstract

• Finding Conferences
• Abstract Preparation
• How to Write a Scientific or Research Abstract

What is a Case Report Abstract?

Author information, writing a title, introduction, case presentation.

• How to Write a Quality Improvement Project Abstract
• Writing Tips
• Reasons for Rejection

Medical and clinical case reports (or “clinical vignettes”) are integral in recording unusual and rare cases of diseases, disorders, and injuries. They provide not only the details of a given case, but also briefly include background and establish the wider significance of a case in the medical literature.

• You should aim for completeness; Use full names and formal credentials; department and institution worked. The author information usually does NOT count against the total word count but be sure you check the instructions.
• There may be a limit on how many authors can be on the submission.
• The first author is the one who conceived the study and did most of the work; will be the person who presents. Sometimes you have to be a member of an association to submit an abstract, so check for those rules as well.
• Full disclosure on sponsors.
• Check how your abstract is being reviewed. Is it blind? You may see instructions like, To ensure blinded peer-review, no direct references to the author(s) or institution(s) of origin should be made anywhere in the title, body, tables or figures.

Your best strategy in writing a title: Write the abstract first.  Then pull out 6-10 key words or key phrases found in the abstract, and string them together into various titles. Brainstorm lots of keywords to help find the best mix.

• Ideally 10-12 words long
• Title should highlight the case​
• Avoid low-impact phrases like ‘effect of... ‘ or ‘influence of…’; Do not include jargon or unfamiliar acronyms
• 2-4 sentences long
• Give clinical context
• Explain the relevance or importance of this case.  Describe whether the case is unique. If not, does the case have an​ unusual diagnosis, prognosis, therapy or harm? Is the case an unusual presentation of a common condition? Or an unusual complication of a disease or management?​
• Describe the instructive or teaching points that add value to this case. Does it demonstrate a cost-effective approach to management or​alternative diagnostic/treatment strategy? Does it increase awareness of a rare condition? 
• 8-10 sentences long
• Use standard presentation format
• Present the information chronologically​
• Patient history; physical examination; investigations tried; clinical course
• Describe the history, examination and investigations adequately. Is the cause of the patient's illness clear-cut? What are other plausible explanations?​
• Describe the treatments adequately. Have all available therapeutic options been considered? Are outcomes related to treatments? Include the patient’s progress and outcome
• 3-4 sentences long
• ​Review the uniqueness of this case. Explain the rationale for reporting the case. What is unusual about the case? Does it challenge prevailing wisdom?​
• Review any relevant literature. Describe how this case is different from those previously reported​
• Impart any lessons learned. In the future, could things be done differently in a similar case
• Case report abstract example
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Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

Definition and Purpose of Abstracts

An abstract is a short summary of your (published or unpublished) research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7 sentences, 150-250 words) long. A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:

• an abstract lets readers get the gist or essence of your paper or article quickly, in order to decide whether to read the full paper;
• an abstract prepares readers to follow the detailed information, analyses, and arguments in your full paper;
• and, later, an abstract helps readers remember key points from your paper.

It’s also worth remembering that search engines and bibliographic databases use abstracts, as well as the title, to identify key terms for indexing your published paper. So what you include in your abstract and in your title are crucial for helping other researchers find your paper or article.

If you are writing an abstract for a course paper, your professor may give you specific guidelines for what to include and how to organize your abstract. Similarly, academic journals often have specific requirements for abstracts. So in addition to following the advice on this page, you should be sure to look for and follow any guidelines from the course or journal you’re writing for.

The Contents of an Abstract

Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of your paper will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully. As you will see in the samples below, the proportion of your abstract that you devote to each kind of information—and the sequence of that information—will vary, depending on the nature and genre of the paper that you are summarizing in your abstract. And in some cases, some of this information is implied, rather than stated explicitly. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , which is widely used in the social sciences, gives specific guidelines for what to include in the abstract for different kinds of papers—for empirical studies, literature reviews or meta-analyses, theoretical papers, methodological papers, and case studies.

Here are the typical kinds of information found in most abstracts:

• the context or background information for your research; the general topic under study; the specific topic of your research
• the central questions or statement of the problem your research addresses
• what’s already known about this question, what previous research has done or shown
• the main reason(s) , the exigency, the rationale , the goals for your research—Why is it important to address these questions? Are you, for example, examining a new topic? Why is that topic worth examining? Are you filling a gap in previous research? Applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data? Resolving a dispute within the literature in your field? . . .
• your research and/or analytical methods
• your main findings , results , or arguments
• the significance or implications of your findings or arguments.

Your abstract should be intelligible on its own, without a reader’s having to read your entire paper. And in an abstract, you usually do not cite references—most of your abstract will describe what you have studied in your research and what you have found and what you argue in your paper. In the body of your paper, you will cite the specific literature that informs your research.

When to Write Your Abstract

Although you might be tempted to write your abstract first because it will appear as the very first part of your paper, it’s a good idea to wait to write your abstract until after you’ve drafted your full paper, so that you know what you’re summarizing.

What follows are some sample abstracts in published papers or articles, all written by faculty at UW-Madison who come from a variety of disciplines. We have annotated these samples to help you see the work that these authors are doing within their abstracts.

Choosing Verb Tenses within Your Abstract

The social science sample (Sample 1) below uses the present tense to describe general facts and interpretations that have been and are currently true, including the prevailing explanation for the social phenomenon under study. That abstract also uses the present tense to describe the methods, the findings, the arguments, and the implications of the findings from their new research study. The authors use the past tense to describe previous research.

The humanities sample (Sample 2) below uses the past tense to describe completed events in the past (the texts created in the pulp fiction industry in the 1970s and 80s) and uses the present tense to describe what is happening in those texts, to explain the significance or meaning of those texts, and to describe the arguments presented in the article.

The science samples (Samples 3 and 4) below use the past tense to describe what previous research studies have done and the research the authors have conducted, the methods they have followed, and what they have found. In their rationale or justification for their research (what remains to be done), they use the present tense. They also use the present tense to introduce their study (in Sample 3, “Here we report . . .”) and to explain the significance of their study (In Sample 3, This reprogramming . . . “provides a scalable cell source for. . .”).

Sample Abstract 1

From the social sciences.

Reporting new findings about the reasons for increasing economic homogamy among spouses

Gonalons-Pons, Pilar, and Christine R. Schwartz. “Trends in Economic Homogamy: Changes in Assortative Mating or the Division of Labor in Marriage?” Demography , vol. 54, no. 3, 2017, pp. 985-1005.

Sample Abstract 2

From the humanities.

Analyzing underground pulp fiction publications in Tanzania, this article makes an argument about the cultural significance of those publications

Emily Callaci. “Street Textuality: Socialism, Masculinity, and Urban Belonging in Tanzania’s Pulp Fiction Publishing Industry, 1975-1985.” Comparative Studies in Society and History , vol. 59, no. 1, 2017, pp. 183-210.

Sample Abstract/Summary 3

From the sciences.

Reporting a new method for reprogramming adult mouse fibroblasts into induced cardiac progenitor cells

Lalit, Pratik A., Max R. Salick, Daryl O. Nelson, Jayne M. Squirrell, Christina M. Shafer, Neel G. Patel, Imaan Saeed, Eric G. Schmuck, Yogananda S. Markandeya, Rachel Wong, Martin R. Lea, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Timothy A. Hacker, Wendy C. Crone, Michael Kyba, Daniel J. Garry, Ron Stewart, James A. Thomson, Karen M. Downs, Gary E. Lyons, and Timothy J. Kamp. “Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Proliferative Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells by Defined Factors.” Cell Stem Cell , vol. 18, 2016, pp. 354-367.

Sample Abstract 4, a Structured Abstract

Reporting results about the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis, from a rigorously controlled study

Note: This journal requires authors to organize their abstract into four specific sections, with strict word limits. Because the headings for this structured abstract are self-explanatory, we have chosen not to add annotations to this sample abstract.

Wald, Ellen R., David Nash, and Jens Eickhoff. “Effectiveness of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children.” Pediatrics , vol. 124, no. 1, 2009, pp. 9-15.

“OBJECTIVE: The role of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) in children is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high-dose amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate in the treatment of children diagnosed with ABS.

METHODS : This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Children 1 to 10 years of age with a clinical presentation compatible with ABS were eligible for participation. Patients were stratified according to age (<6 or ≥6 years) and clinical severity and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin (90 mg/kg) with potassium clavulanate (6.4 mg/kg) or placebo. A symptom survey was performed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, and 30. Patients were examined on day 14. Children’s conditions were rated as cured, improved, or failed according to scoring rules.

RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred thirty-five children with respiratory complaints were screened for enrollment; 139 (6.5%) had ABS. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled, and 56 were randomly assigned. The mean age was 6630 months. Fifty (89%) patients presented with persistent symptoms, and 6 (11%) presented with nonpersistent symptoms. In 24 (43%) children, the illness was classified as mild, whereas in the remaining 32 (57%) children it was severe. Of the 28 children who received the antibiotic, 14 (50%) were cured, 4 (14%) were improved, 4(14%) experienced treatment failure, and 6 (21%) withdrew. Of the 28children who received placebo, 4 (14%) were cured, 5 (18%) improved, and 19 (68%) experienced treatment failure. Children receiving the antibiotic were more likely to be cured (50% vs 14%) and less likely to have treatment failure (14% vs 68%) than children receiving the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS : ABS is a common complication of viral upper respiratory infections. Amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate results in significantly more cures and fewer failures than placebo, according to parental report of time to resolution.” (9)

Some Excellent Advice about Writing Abstracts for Basic Science Research Papers, by Professor Adriano Aguzzi from the Institute of Neuropathology at the University of Zurich:

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How to write an abstract that will be accepted

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• Peer review
• Mary Higgins , fellow in maternal fetal medicine 1 ,
• Maeve Eogan , consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist 2 ,
• Keelin O’Donoghue , consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and senior lecturer 3 ,
• Noirin Russell , consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist 3
• 1 Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 2 Rotunda Hospital Dublin, Ireland
• 3 Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland
• mairenihuigin{at}gmail.com

Researchers do not always appreciate the importance of producing a good abstract or understand the best way of writing one. Mary Higgins and colleagues share some of the lessons they have learnt as both researchers and reviewers of abstracts

Effective abstracts reflect the time, work, and importance of the scientific research performed in the course of a study. A last minute approach and poor writing may not reflect the good quality of a study.

Between the four of us we have written over 150 published papers, as well as having reviewed numerous abstracts for national and international meetings. Nevertheless, we have all had abstracts rejected, and this experience has emphasised a number of teaching points that could help maximise the impact of abstracts and success on the world, or other, stage.

An abstract is the first glimpse an audience has of a study, and it is the ticket to having research accepted for presentation to a wider audience. For a study to receive the respect it deserves, the abstract should be as well written as possible. In practice, this means taking time to write the abstract, keeping it simple, reading the submission guidelines, checking the text, and showing the abstract to colleagues.

It is important to take the necessary time to write the abstract. Several months or years have been spent on this groundbreaking research, so take the time to show this. Five minutes before the call for abstracts closes is not the time to start putting it together.

Keep it simple, and think about the message that needs to be communicated. Some abstracts churn out lots of unrelated results and then have a conclusion that does not relate to the results, and this is just confusing. Plan what points need to be made, and then think about them a little more.

Read the submission guidelines and keep to the instructions provided in the call for abstracts. Don’t submit an unstructured abstract if the guidance has asked for a structured one. Comply with the word or letter count, and do not go over this.

An abstract comprises five parts of equal importance: the title, introduction and aims, methods, results, and conclusion. Allow enough time to write each part well.

The title should go straight to the point of the study. Make the study sound interesting so that it catches people’s attention. The introduction should include a brief background to the research and describe its aims. For every aim presented there needs to be a corresponding result in the results section. There is no need to go into detail in terms of the background to the study, as those who are reviewing the abstract will have some knowledge of the subject. The methods section can be kept simple—it is acceptable to write “retrospective case-control study” or “randomised controlled trial.”

The results section should be concrete and related to the aims. It is distracting and irritating to read results that have no apparent relation to the professed aims of the study. If something is important, highlight it or put it in italics to make it stand out. Include the number of participants, and ensure recognition is given if 10 000 charts have been reviewed. Equally, a percentage without a baseline number is not meaningful.

In the conclusion, state succinctly what can be drawn from the results, but don’t oversell this. Words like “possibly” and “may” can be useful in this part of the abstract but show that some thought has been put into what the results may mean. This is what divides the good from the not so good. Many people are capable of doing research, but the logical formation of a hypothesis and the argument of its proof are what make a real researcher.

Once you have written the abstract, check the spelling and grammar. Poor spelling or grammar can give the impression that the research is also poor. Show the abstract to the supervisor or principal investigator of the study, as this person’s name will go on the abstract as well. Then show the abstract to someone who knows nothing about the particular area of research but who knows something about the subject. Someone detached from the study might point out the one thing that needs to be said but that has been forgotten.

Then let it go; abstracts are not life and death scenarios. Sometimes an abstract will not be accepted no matter how wonderful it is. Perhaps there is a theme to the meeting, into which the research does not fit. Reviewers may also be looking for particular things. For one conference, we limited the number of case reports so that only about 10% were accepted. It may be that your research is in a popular or topical area and not all abstracts in that area can be chosen. On occasions, politics play a part, and individual researchers have little control over that.

Finally, remember that sometimes even the best reviewer may not appreciate the subtleties of your research and another audience may be more appreciative.

Competing interests: We have read and understood the BMJ Group policy on declaration of interests and have no relevant interests to declare.

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Writing a Clinical Vignette (Case Report) Abstract

Case reports represent the oldest and most familiar form of medical communication. Far from a "second-class" publication, many original observations are first presented as case reports. Like scientific abstracts, the case report abstract is governed by rules that dictate its format and length. This article will outline the features of a well-written case report abstract and provide an example to emphasize the main features.

Scientific forums have specific rules regarding how the abstract should appear. For the ACP, the rules are available on the electronic abstracts portal. Organizers of scientific meetings set explicit limits on the length of abstracts.

The most difficult decision to make is whether your case report is worth submitting as an abstract. Of course, rarity of a condition almost always meets the criterion of worthiness, but few of us have the opportunity to describe something that is completely new. Another reason to report a case is the lesson that it teaches. With this in mind, consider presenting a case if it increases awareness of a condition, suggests the proper diagnostic strategy, or demonstrates a more cost-effective approach to management. Alternatively, a case can be presented because it represents an unusual presentation of a relatively common condition. Other twists include an unusual complication of a disease and its management. Again, it's important to think about the message or lesson that the case can deliver.

Before you begin writing the abstract, present a quick summary of your case to colleagues or mentors to determine if they agree that the case is worthy of presentation. It is important to contribute something unique, but not if it depends on some trivial variation from previously presented cases. For example, if it is known that a certain cancer widely metastasizes, it is not worthwhile to report each new site. Similarly, drug reactions often merit a case report, but not if it is simply a report of a drug in a class whose other members are known to cause the same reaction.

Once you have decided to submit a case report abstract, describe it in such a way as to make it interesting, yet conform to the accepted format. The following paragraphs provide suggestions on both style and format.

Title and Author Information: The title is a summary of the abstract itself and should convince the reader that the topic is important, relevant, and innovative. However, don't tell everything about the case in the title, otherwise the reader's interest might lag. Make the title short, descriptive, and interesting. Some organizations require a special format for the title, such as all uppercase letters. Be sure to check the instructions. Following the title, include the names of authors followed by their institutional affiliations. Deciding upon the authorship of a case report can be tricky. In the past, it was acceptable to include as authors those contributing to the management of the patient, but this is no longer true. Currently, it is expected that the authors contribute significantly to the intellectual content of the case report. It is assumed that the first author will present the work if the abstract is accepted. The first author may need to meet certain eligibility requirements in order to present the abstract, for example, be a member of the professional society sponsoring the research meeting. This information is always included with the abstract instructions.

Introduction: Most case report abstracts begin with a short introduction. This typically describes the context of the case and explains its relevance and importance. However, it is perfectly acceptable to begin directly with the description of the case.

Case Description: When reporting the case, follow the basic rules of medical communication; describe in sequence the history, physical examination, investigative studies, and the patient's progress and outcome. The trick is to be complete without obscuring the essence of the case with irrelevant details.

Discussion: The main purpose of the discussion is to review why decisions were made and extract the lesson from the case. Not uncommonly, reports from the literature, or their absence, are cited that either directly support or contradict the findings of the case. Be wary of boasting that your case is the "first" to describe a particular phenomenon, since even the most thorough searches often fail to reveal all instances of similar cases. Keep in mind that the best case report abstracts are those that make a small number of teaching points (even just one) in clear and succinct language.

When writing the abstract, avoid the use of medical jargon and excessive reliance on abbreviations. Limit abbreviations to no more than three, and favor commonly used abbreviations. Always spell out the abbreviations the first time they are mentioned unless they are commonly recognized (e.g., CBC).

It typically takes several days to write a good abstract, and the process should not be undertaken alone. Get help from a mentor who is not familiar with the case; such mentors can quickly point out areas that are unclear or demand more detail. Make revisions based upon the feedback. Finally, have others read your draft in order to check for technical errors, such as spelling and grammar mistakes. Reading the abstract out loud is another good way to catch awkward phrasing and word omissions. Finally, a Clinical Vignette Abstract Checklist  and an example of a clinical vignette abstract  are available to help you with the process of writing a successful abstract.

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Importance of Writing an Abstract for a Case Study

Table of Contents

Writing a captivating and informative abstract for a case study is an art form that requires skill, experience, and attention to detail. For many, the challenge of penning this important document can be daunting. But with proper guidance from experienced hands, it becomes much more manageable. This article explains all you need to know about writing an abstract for a case study .

What Is the Importance of Writing an Abstract for a Case Study

Writing an abstract for a case study is an important step in the research process. It introduces the topic and provides readers with an overview of the research findings or implications . An effective abstract should be concise, well-structured, and accurate. It should include details to help readers can determine if they want to read further into the research results.  A good abstract will provide a comprehensive summary of the case study. This includes the main objectives of the project, key questions asked, methodology used, and significant conclusions reached. It may include clear descriptions of any data collected and analyzed, how it was interpreted, and its relevance to the case study. In addition, the abstract should succinctly describe the implications of the research findings for both practitioners and researchers in the field. 

How to Write an Abstract for a Case Study

An abstract for a case study helps readers quickly assess the content of the study and its relevance and significance . This section of the article provides some tips on how to write an effective abstract for a case study. 

Summarize the Main Objective

First, an abstract must present the main objective or purpose of the case study clearly. It should be concise yet comprehensive enough to summarize the most pertinent information contained in your case study. In addition, be sure to include any key research findings or results that were generated by the case study. Doing so allows readers to get a better sense of what was discovered through the course of the investigation. 

Emphasize the Importance of the Topic

When writing an abstract for a case study, it is also critical to emphasize why the particular topic is worth exploring. This may involve highlighting any unique perspectives or techniques used during the process. Furthermore, if possible, include any recommendations or implications arising from the conclusions of the study. Doing so will give readers an opportunity to consider practical solutions to whatever challenges are being addressed. 

Use Formal Language

The language used in an abstract should be formal yet straightforward and easy to understand. Avoid using overly complicated jargon and opt for more common words instead. It is also beneficial to break up longer sentences with shorter ones to ensure clarity and readability. The goal here is to communicate complex ideas in simple terms without sacrificing accuracy or meaning. 

Keep It Brief

Finally, when creating an abstract for a case study, keep the length relatively brief while still conveying all the necessary details. Generally speaking, aim for somewhere between 150-300 words depending on the scope of the study. Make sure that all elements discussed above are included within this range. Eliminate any unnecessary information that might distract or confuse readers.

Wrapping Up

All in all, writing an abstract for a case study is an essential part of the research process. It provides readers with an immediate snapshot of the work’s purpose and main points. In the same vein, it enables authors to reflect upon their writing style and craft good summaries that capture the essence of their work.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Writing Abstracts and Developing Posters for National Meetings

Gordon j. wood.

1 Department of Medicine, Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

R. Sean Morrison

2 Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, and the James J. Peters VA, Bronx, New York.

Presenting posters at national meetings can help fellows and junior faculty members develop a national reputation. They often lead to interesting and fruitful networking and collaboration opportunities. They also help with promotion in academic medicine and can reveal new job opportunities. Practically, presenting posters can help justify funding to attend a meeting. Finally, this process can be invaluable in assisting with manuscript preparation. This article provides suggestions and words of wisdom for palliative care fellows and junior faculty members wanting to present a poster at a national meeting describing a case study or original research. It outlines how to pick a topic, decide on collaborators, and choose a meeting for the submission. It also describes how to write the abstract using examples that present a general format as well as writing tips for each section. It then describes how to prepare the poster and do the presentation. Sample poster formats are provided as are talking points to help the reader productively interact with those that visit the poster. Finally, tips are given regarding what to do after the meeting. The article seeks to not only describe the basic steps of this entire process, but also to highlight the hidden curriculum behind the successful abstracts and posters. These tricks of the trade can help the submission stand out and will make sure the reader gets the most out of the hard work that goes into a poster presentation at a national meeting.

Introduction

A track record of successful presentations at national meetings is important for the junior academic palliative medicine clinician. Unfortunately, palliative care fellows report minimal training in how to even start the process by writing the abstract. 1 What follows is a practical, step-by-step guide aimed at the palliative care fellow or junior palliative care faculty member who is hoping to present original research or a case study at a national meeting. We will discuss the rationale for presenting at national meetings, development of the abstract, creation and conduct of the presentation, as well as what to do after the meeting. We will draw on the literature where available 2 – 7 and on our experience where data are lacking. We will focus on the development of posters rather than oral presentations or workshops as these are typically the first and more common experiences for junior faculty and fellows. Finally, in addition to discussing the nuts and bolts of the process, we will also focus on the “hidden curriculum” behind the successful submissions and poster presentations (see Table 1 ).

The Hidden Curriculum: Tips To Get the Most Out of Your Submission

Why Present at National Meetings?

Given that it takes a fair amount of work to put together an abstract and presentation, it is fair to ask what is to be gained from the effort. The standard answer is that presentations at national meetings aid in the dissemination of your findings and help further the field. Although this is certainly true, there are also several practical and personal reasons that should hold at least equal importance to fellows or junior faculty members (see Table 2 ). Perhaps most importantly, presenting at a national meeting helps develop your national reputation. People will begin to know your name and associate it with the topic you are presenting. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to network and collaborate, which can then lead to other projects. Many of us have begun life-long collaborative relationships after connecting with someone at a national meeting. Even if you don't make a personal connection at the meeting, if people begin to associate your name with a topic, they will often reach out to you when they need an expert to sit on a committee, write a paper, or collaborate on a project.

Personal Reasons To Present Abstracts/Posters

Development of a national reputation is important not only in garnering interesting opportunities, but it is also key to career advancement. For fellows, presenting at national meetings can forge connections with future employers and lead to that all-important “first job.” For junior faculty, demonstration of a national reputation is often the main criterion for promotion and presentations at national meetings help establish this reputation. 8 Junior faculty may also make connections that lead to potential job opportunities of which they might not otherwise have been aware.

There are three additional practical reasons to present at a national meeting. First, having something accepted for presentation is often the only way your department will reimburse your trip to the meeting. Second, going through the work of abstract submission and presentation helps tremendously in manuscript preparation. It provides a deadline and forces you to organize your thoughts, analyze your data, and place them in an understandable format. This makes the eventual job of writing the manuscript much less daunting. Third, presenting also allows you to get immediate feedback, which can then make the manuscript stronger before it is submitted. Such feedback often gives the presenter additional ideas for analyses, alternate explanations for findings, and ideas regarding future directions.

Although these personal and practical reasons for presenting are derived from our own experiences, they are concordant with the survey results of 219 presenters at the Society of General Internal Medicine Annual Meeting. 9 This survey also highlighted how posters and oral presentations can meet these needs differently. For example, for these presenters, posters were preferred for getting feedback and criticism and for networking and collaborating. Oral presentations, on the other hand, were preferred for developing a national reputation and sharing important findings most effectively. For all of these reasons, many academic centers have developed highly effective programs for trainees and junior faculty to help encourage submissions 10 , 11 so it is wise to seek out such programs if they exist in your home institution.

Getting Started

Realizing the importance of presenting at national meetings may be the easy part. Actually getting started and putting together a submission is where most fall short. The critical first step is to pick something that interests you. For original research, hopefully your level of interest was a consideration at the beginning of the project, although how anxious you are to work on the submission may be a good barometer for your true investment in the project.

For case studies, make sure the topic, and ideally the case, fuel a passion. Unlike original research, in which mentors and advisors are usually established at study conception, case studies often require you to seek appropriate collaborators when contemplating submission. It is the rare submission that comes from a single author. In choosing collaborators, look for a senior mentor with experience submitting posters and an investment in both you and the topic. There is nothing more disheartening for the junior clinician than having to harass a mentor whose heart is not in the project.

Another critical step is to choose the right meeting for the submission. Although many submissions may be to palliative care meetings (e.g., American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine), there is great benefit to both the field and your career in presenting at other specialty meetings. Presentations at well-recognized nonpalliative care meetings further legitimize the field, increase your national visibility, and lead to interesting and fruitful collaborations. Additionally, these types of presentations may be looked on with more favor by people reviewing your CV who are not intimately familiar with the world of palliative care. Table 1 presents some questions you should discuss with your mentor and ask yourself when choosing a meeting. Some of these questions may have conflicting answers, and you should be thoughtful in weighing what is most important.

Once you have chosen your meeting, go to the meeting's website and review all of the instructions. Check requirements regarding what material can be presented. For example, many meetings will allow you to present data that were already presented at a regional meeting but not data that were previously presented at another national meeting. Most meetings also do not allow you to present data that are already published, although it is generally acceptable to submit your abstract at the same time you submit your paper for publication. If the paper is published before the meeting, make sure to inform the committee—most often you will still be able to present but will be asked to note the publication in your presentation. Regarding the submission, most conferences have very specific instructions and the rules are strict. The applications are generally online with preset fields and word limits. It is helpful to examine review criteria and deadlines for submission, paying particular attention to time zones. Finally, it can be invaluable to read published abstracts from the last meeting and to talk with prior presenters to get a sense of the types of abstracts that are accepted.

The next step is to start writing. The key to success is to leave enough time as there are often unavoidable and unplanned technical issues with the online submission that you will confront. Additionally, you will want to leave time to get input from all of the authors and from people who have not been primarily involved in the project—to make sure that a “naïve” audience understands the message of the abstract. Finally, remember that an abstract/poster does not have to represent all of the data for a study and can just present an interesting piece of the story.

Most submissions require several rewrites. These can become frustrating, but it is important to realize that there is a very specific language for these types of submissions that your mentor should know and that you will learn over time. The most common issue is the need to shorten the abstract to fit the word limit. Strategies to ensure brevity include using the active voice, employing generic rather than trade names for drugs and devices, and avoiding jargon and local lingo. Use no more than two or three abbreviations and always define the abbreviations on first use. Do a spelling/grammar check and also have someone proofread the document before submitting. References are generally not included on abstracts. Most importantly, be concise, write lean, and avoid empty phrases such as “studies show.” A review of 45 abstracts submitted to a national surgical meeting found that concise abstracts were more likely to be accepted, 12 and this small study certainly reflects our experiences as submitters and reviewers.

The Abstract for an Original Research Study

The styles of abstracts for original studies vary. Guidelines exist for manuscript abstracts reporting various types of original research (CONSORT, 13 – 15 IDCRD, 16 PRISMA, 17 QUOROM, and STROBE 18 ) and review of these guidelines can be helpful to provide a format. There are also guidelines that exist for evaluating conference abstracts that may be informative, such as the CORE-14 guidelines for observational studies. 19 In general, a structured abstract style is favored. 20 – 21 In this paper, we will present general styles for each type of abstract that will need to be adapted to the type of study and the rules of the conference. Table 3 outlines the general format for an abstract for original research. Each section contains tips for how to write the section, rather than example text from a study. Therefore, you may find it most helpful to review the figures alongside examples of previously accepted abstracts.

Abstract for an Original Research Study

In any abstract, it is particularly important to focus on the title as it is often the only item people will look at while scanning the meeting program or wandering through the poster session. It should be no more than 10–12 words 2 and should describe what was investigated and how, instead of what was found. It should be engaging, but be cautious with too much use of humor as this can become tiresome and distracting. Below the title, list authors and their affiliations. The remaining sections of the abstract are discussed in the figure.

The Abstract for a Case Study

The abstract for a case study contains many of the same elements as the abstract for original research with a few important differences. Most importantly, you need to use the abstract to highlight the importance of the issue the case raises and convince the reader that both the case and the issue are interesting, novel, and relevant. A general format is provided in Table 4 .

Abstract for a Case Study

Preparing Posters

Once the abstract is prepared, submitted, and, hopefully, accepted, your next job is to prepare the presentation. Whereas a few select abstracts are typically selected for oral presentation (usually 8–10 minutes followed by a short question-and-answer period), the majority of submitted abstracts will be assigned to poster sessions. (Readers interested in advice for oral presentations are referred to reference 22 ). Posters are large (generally approximately 3 × 6 ft) visual representations of your work. Most posters are now one-piece glossy prints from graphics departments or commercial stores, although increasingly academic departments have access to printing facilities that may be less expensive than commercial stores. Additionally, many meetings now partner with on-site printing services, which are convenient and reasonably priced. Generally, the material is prepared on a PowerPoint (or equivalent) slide and this is given to the production facility. The easiest way to prepare your first poster is to ask your institution if it has a preferred or required template. If such a template does not exist, ask for a trusted colleague's slide from an accepted poster. This gives you the format and institutional logos, and you simply need to modify the content. In preparing your poster for printing, review the meeting instructions and try to make your poster as close to the maximum dimensions as possible. Try to complete the poster early to allow for production delays. Consider shipping your poster to the conference or carry it in a protective case and check with the airline regarding luggage requirements. On-site printing eliminates travel hassles but does not allow much time for any problems that may arise.

What goes on the poster?

Both the content and the visual appeal of the poster are important. In fact, one study found that visual appeal was more important than content for knowledge transfer. 23 Although the poster expands the content of your abstract, resist the urge to include too much information. It is helpful to remember the rule of 10s: the average person scans your poster for 10 seconds from 10 feet away. When someone stops, you should be able to introduce your poster in 10 seconds and they should be able to assimilate all of the information and discuss it with you in 10 minutes. 3 Figures 1 and ​ and2 2 show the layouts of posters for a case and for an original study. The general rule is to keep each section as short and simple as possible, which allows for a font large enough (nothing smaller than 24 point 4 ) for easy reading of the title from 10 feet away and the text from 3–5 feet away. Leave blank space and use colors judiciously. Easily read and interpretable figures and simple tables are more visually appealing than text, and they are typically more effective in getting one's message across. It is helpful to get feedback on one's poster before finalizing and printing—ideally from people not familiar with the work to get a true objective view.

Poster for original research.

Poster for case study.

Although it may seem simple enough to prepare a good poster, many fall short. One author reviewed 142 posters at a national meeting and found that 33% were cluttered or sloppy, 22% had fonts that were too small to be easily read, and 38% had research objectives that could not be located in a 1-minute review. 5 Another study of an evaluation tool for case report posters found that the areas most needing improvement were statements of learning objectives, linkages of conclusions to learning objectives, and appropriate amount of words. 24

The Poster Presentation

Posters are presented at “Poster Sessions,” which are designated periods during the meeting when presenters stand by their posters while conference attendees circulate through the room. Refreshments are often served during these sessions and the atmosphere is generally more relaxed and less stressful than during oral presentations. Additionally, the one-on-one contact allows greater opportunity for discussion, feedback, and networking. Awards are often presented to the best posters and ribbons may designate these posters during the session.

The first step to a successful poster presentation is to simply show up. Surveys of conference attendees clearly indicate that it is necessary for the presenter to be with his/her poster for effective communication of the results. 23 This is also your time to grow your reputation, network, and get feedback, so do not miss the opportunity to reap the rewards of your hard work. In preparation, read any specific conference instructions and bring business cards and handouts of the poster or related materials. While standing at your poster, make eye contact with people who approach but allow them to finish reading before beginning a discussion. 4 As noted above, you should be prepared to introduce your poster in 10 seconds then answer questions and discuss as needed. Practicing your introduction and answers to common questions with colleagues before the meeting can be invaluable. Before your presentation, your mentor should also contact important people in the field related to your topic and ask them to come by your poster. You should have a list of these people and know who they are and when they are coming. Standard questions you may ask are included in Table 1 . You should also have prepared questions targeted specifically for each of the people your mentor has contacted. You should then suggest these people as reviewers when you submit your manuscript.

After the Presentation

After the presentation, key steps remain to get the most out of the process. First, ask for feedback so you can make adjustments for the next presentation. Also, think about what parts of the poster you can use for other reasons. It is often helpful to export a graph or figure to use in future presentations. The key is to “double-dip” and use everything to its fullest extent. In addition, to make the maximal use of the networking opportunities you should follow up with anyone who asked for more information or inquired about collaborations. In the excitement of the meeting anything seems possible, but it is easy to lose that momentum when you get home. In one study, only 29% of presenters replied to requests for additional information, and they generally took over 30 days to respond. 25

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it is critical to write up your work for publication. Although posters are important, publications are the true currency of academia. Unfortunately, the percentage of abstracts that are eventually published is low. 26 When asked why they had yet to publish, respondents in one study 27 cited: lacked time (46%), study still in progress (31%), responsibility for publication belonged to someone else (20%), difficulty with co-authors (17%), and low priority (13%). Factors that have been shown to increase the likelihood of abstract publication include: oral presentation (as opposed to a poster), statistical analysis, number of authors, and university affiliation. 28 – 31 Time to publication is generally about 20 months. 29

Conclusions

Writing abstracts and developing posters for national meetings benefit the field in general and the junior clinician in particular. This process develops critical skills and generates innumerable opportunities. We have presented a stepwise approach based on the literature and our personal experiences. We have also highlighted the hidden curriculum that separates the successful submissions from the rest of the pack. Hopefully, these tools will help palliative care fellows and junior faculty more easily navigate the process and benefit the most from the work they put into their projects.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Morrison is supported by a Mid-Career Investigator Award in Patient Oriented Research from the National Institute on Aging (K24 AG022345). A portion of this work was funded by the National Palliative Care Research Center.

Author Disclosure Statement

No competing financial interests exist.

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Call for Research Abstracts and Case Reports

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) invites you to submit your clinical and basic science research findings to be considered for inclusion in the 2022 Annual Assembly, being held October 20 - 23 in Baltimore, MD and virtually. The theme for #AAPMR22 is Leading the Way.

Deadline for Submissions: Closed

Submission guidelines.

• All application material must be submitted online by Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 11:59 pm (CT) . All submitters and co-authors must be added prior to peer review and cannot be added post acceptance.

• Only the submitting author of the abstract will receive email notification of acceptance or rejection. It is the responsibility of the primary author to notify the co-authors of acceptance or rejection. Notifications will be sent via email by the first week in June 2022.
• All posters will be displayed in an electronic format.
• The Review Committee reserves the right to assign presentation times to suit program needs. Posters will be displayed by category. Presenters will not be able to change days of presentation.
• Accepted abstracts will be minimally edited for style and format and published in conjunction with  PM&R , the Academy’s scientific journal. A maximum of ten (10) authors' names will be included per abstract. The abstract will be available in electronic format in conjunction with  PM&R .
• Additional names/authors may not be added to the electronic poster that were not listed on the original abstract. AAPM&R reserves the right to remove any poster that violates these guidelines.
• Authors must identify in the title if the abstract is a case report.  Example:  Gymnast With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Report
• Authors may not submit abstracts written in all CAPS.
• Authors must spell, in full, on first introduction of all acronyms or abbreviations used.
• All numbers should be presented in Arabic numeral form, including numbers from 1 to 10.
• Authors may not add new or alter existing subject headings, listed in the Procedures Section #4 and #5 below.
• Authors may not use tables, graphs, or figures in the abstract submission process.
• Authors may not list references in the abstract.
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• Results 
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• Assessment/Results 
• Discussion (relevance) 
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• To be considered for any  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™-designated activities at the Annual Assembly (i.e., Research Spotlight Presentations), presenting authors must be medical professionals, MD or MD-equivalent, who are not employed by a pharmaceutical or device manufacturing company.
• If presenters intend to reference brand-name drugs, the generic name must be provided.

Research Spotlight Presentations 

Presenters of the top ranked research abstracts submitted may be invited to give a 7-minute in-person, oral presentation of the methodology, results, and conclusions of their completed studies in one of the following didactic sessions being held at the Annual Assembly. Only completed experimental studies or well-controlled epidemiologic studies may be presented in this forum.

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Presenters whose posters were selected as top research will be notified in mid-June 2022.

Late Breaking Abstracts

Original research and case reports that were still in progress during the original submission deadline, can be submitted through the summer Call for Late Breaking Abstracts submission process. The opening date has not been determined and will be updated by Spring 2022.

President's Citation Award

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Example of a Structured Abstract

CONTROL ID:  001  TITLE:  New Wheelie Aid for Wheelchairs: Controlled Trial of Safety and Efficacy  AUTHORS:  Jane Doe      Disclosure:   None INSTITUTIONS:  Amazing Academic Medical Center  PRESENTATION TYPE:  Abstract  CURRENT CATEGORY:  General Rehabilitation  ABSTRACT BODY:  Objective (Abstract Only): To test hypotheses that people learning to perform aided wheelies (AW) with a new self-deploying wheelie aid (WA) are safer than those using the conventional wheelie (CW), are more successful at learning the skills, learn more quickly, and find such skills less difficult. Design (Abstract Only): Randomized, controlled study. Setting (Required for Abstracts and Case Reports): Wheelchair obstacle course Participants (Abstracts Only): 42 subjects randomly assigned to the CW (n=23) or AW (n=19) groups. Interventions (Abstracts Only): We performed static tests on a WA -modified wheelchair occupied by a test dummy, and attempted to teach each subject to perform a set of 14 wheelie-related skills. Main Outcome Measures (Abstracts Only): Visual analog scale (VAS) of safety, percentage of subjects able to learn the skills, the time required, and subjective difficulty scores (from 1 for "very easy" to 5 for "very difficult"). Results (Abstract or Case Report) or Clinical Course (Case Reports Only): Up to 11° of antitip-device stability was available without the WA extending beyond the rearmost aspect of the rear wheel in the resting position. For the CW and AW groups, the mean ± standard deviation VAS safety scores were 43%±27% and 98%±2% (P Conclusions (Required for Abstracts and Case Reports): The WA provides stability and wheelie-like function without interfering with maneuverability. Although both groups were equally successful, learning to perform AW is safer, fast, and less difficult than learning CWs  Level of Evidence - Abstract Submission Role:  Level II  Reprinted with permission.

Example of a Case Report

Systemic Weakness After Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections in a Child With Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report.  Mary A. McMahon, MD (Cincinnati Child Hosp Med Ctr/Univ Cincinnati Coll Med, Cincinnati, OH).      Disclosure:  None  Setting:  Tertiary care pediatric hospital.  Patient:  A 15-month-old boy with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP).  Case Description:  The patient received botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections secondary to increasing plantarflexion tone and an inability to tolerate ankle-foot orthoses. The botulinum toxin was reconstituted with 0.9% normal saline to a concentration of 10U/0.1cc. A total of 100U (11.5U/kg) were equally divided among 4 sites in each gastrocnemius muscle. Aspiration was done prior to each injection. On days 2 and 3 postinjection, he had decreasing tone in his upper extremities. On day 4, he presented with diffuse weakness, including loss of head control and poor feeding. His history was otherwise unremarkable, and his exam was notable only for diffusely decreased tone and weakness with tachypnea. Lung exam and chest x-ray were within normal limits and his oxygen saturation was 100%. He was admitted for intravenous fluids and close observation. He was observed for 48 hours, during which his strength and tone had a fluctuating pattern of improvement. At discharge, he had regained head control and his oral intake was at baseline.  Assessment/Results:  At 6 weeks postinjections, the patient continued to demonstrate decreased tone in all 4 extremities. His therapist noted improved postural control and use of his upper extremities after the injections. His sleeping and eating both significantly improved. Further developments will be discussed.  Discussion:  This is the first reported case, to our knowledge, of generalized weakness following botulinum toxin injections given at what is commonly considered to be a standard dose for children with CP.  Conclusion:  Serious idiosyncratic reactions to botulinum toxin type A are possible despite using doses that are considered safe in children.  Reprinted with permission.

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Email  [email protected] ., call for abstract reviewers.

AAPM&R has launched its invitation to submit clinical and basic science research findings to be considered for inclusion in the 2022 Annual Assembly. Reviewers will assist AAPM&R in setting the bar for accepting scientific poster, case studies, and the eligibility for the prestigious President’s Citations Award. To help with the review process, we would appreciate interested members apply.

Areas of Clinical Interests:

• Practice Management, Leadership, and Quality Improvement 

Questions regarding abstract reviewer submissions?

Email  [email protected]  or call (847) 737-6000..

• Article Information

eReferences

Data Sharing Statement

• Pregnancy Outcomes in a US Cohort of Transgender People JAMA Research Letter June 6, 2023 This study assesses severe parental morbidity, cesarean deliveries, and preterm births among commercially and publicly insured trans people compared with cisgender people. Daphna Stroumsa, MD, MPH, MSc; Michelle H. Moniz, MD, MSc; Halley Crissman, MD, MPH; Vanessa K. Dalton, MD, MPH; Anca Tilea, MPH; Paul N. Pfeiffer, MD, MS; Erica E. Marsh, MD, MSCI
• Legal Penalties for Physicians Providing Gender-Affirming Care JAMA Viewpoint June 6, 2023 This Viewpoint explains the “legal limbo” physicians may find themselves in, straddling state laws banning gender-affirming care and federal nondiscrimination law, both of which remain unclear due to ongoing legal challenges in the courts. Christy Mallory, JD; Madeline G. Chin, BA; Justine C. Lee, MD, PhD
• Clinical Characteristics, Experiences, and Outcomes of Transgender Patients With Cancer JAMA Oncology Brief Report January 21, 2021 This case series examines clinical characteristics, experiences, and outcomes of transgender patients with cancer. Zackory T. Burns, JD, DPhil; Danielle S. Bitterman, MD; Subha Perni, MD; Patrick J. Boyle, BA; Carly E. Guss, MD; Daphne A. Haas-Kogan, MD; Kevin X. Liu, MD, DPhil
• Inclusion and Reporting of Transgender and Nonbinary Persons in Clinical Trials and Tumor Registries JAMA Oncology Viewpoint August 1, 2022 This Viewpoint advocates for the inclusion of transgender and nonbinary persons in clinical trials and tumor registries. Chandler S. Cortina, MD, MS
• Cancer in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Persons JAMA Oncology Review April 1, 2023 This narrative review examines primary and secondary prevention of cancer, barriers to health care services, and health care practitioners’ knowledge about specific issues pertaining to transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Alberto Giovanni Leone, MD; Dario Trapani, MD; Matthew B. Schabath, PhD; Joshua D. Safer, MD; N. F. N. Scout, PhD; Matteo Lambertini, MD; Rossana Berardi, MD; Silvia Marsoni, MD; Francesco Perrone, MD; Saverio Cinieri, MD; Rosalba Miceli, PhD; Federica Morano, MD; Filippo Pietrantonio, MD

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Nik-Ahd F , De Hoedt A , Butler C, et al. Prostate Cancer in Transgender Women in the Veterans Affairs Health System, 2000-2022. JAMA. 2023;329(21):1877–1879. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.6028

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Prostate Cancer in Transgender Women in the Veterans Affairs Health System, 2000-2022

• 1 Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco
• 2 Division of Urology, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina
• 3 Department of Urology, University of California, San Diego
• 4 Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
• Research Letter Pregnancy Outcomes in a US Cohort of Transgender People Daphna Stroumsa, MD, MPH, MSc; Michelle H. Moniz, MD, MSc; Halley Crissman, MD, MPH; Vanessa K. Dalton, MD, MPH; Anca Tilea, MPH; Paul N. Pfeiffer, MD, MS; Erica E. Marsh, MD, MSCI JAMA
• Viewpoint Legal Penalties for Physicians Providing Gender-Affirming Care Christy Mallory, JD; Madeline G. Chin, BA; Justine C. Lee, MD, PhD JAMA
• Brief Report Clinical Characteristics, Experiences, and Outcomes of Transgender Patients With Cancer Zackory T. Burns, JD, DPhil; Danielle S. Bitterman, MD; Subha Perni, MD; Patrick J. Boyle, BA; Carly E. Guss, MD; Daphne A. Haas-Kogan, MD; Kevin X. Liu, MD, DPhil JAMA Oncology
• Viewpoint Inclusion and Reporting of Transgender and Nonbinary Persons in Clinical Trials and Tumor Registries Chandler S. Cortina, MD, MS JAMA Oncology
• Review Cancer in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Persons Alberto Giovanni Leone, MD; Dario Trapani, MD; Matthew B. Schabath, PhD; Joshua D. Safer, MD; N. F. N. Scout, PhD; Matteo Lambertini, MD; Rossana Berardi, MD; Silvia Marsoni, MD; Francesco Perrone, MD; Saverio Cinieri, MD; Rosalba Miceli, PhD; Federica Morano, MD; Filippo Pietrantonio, MD JAMA Oncology

Transgender women retain their prostate even after gender-affirmation surgery and thus remain at risk of prostate cancer. Studies to date are limited to case reports. 1 We describe a large case series of transgender women with prostate cancer within the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system.

After Durham VA institutional review board approval with a waiver of informed consent, VA records for all adults with an International Classification of Diseases code for prostate cancer and at least 1 code for transgender identity at any time from January 2000 to November 2022 were queried. Detailed chart review was performed to confirm transgender identity and prostate cancer diagnosis. The number of cases per year was approximated using previous estimates of the median year of transgender identity entry in VA records (2011), corresponding to approximately 11 years of follow-up (2011-2022). 2 Data from community clinicians were included if available in VA notes. Data at diagnosis were collected, including gender-affirming hormone therapies used, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density (measure of prostate cancer aggressiveness [lower risk, <0.15 ng/mL/g]), bilateral orchiectomy status, biopsy grade group (grades 1-5, with 5 being most severe), and clinical stage (T1-T4, with T4 being most advanced; eMethods in Supplement 1 ). Because estrogen, which lowers testosterone and suppresses prostate cancer, 3 was the most common feminization therapy, patients were grouped by never used estrogen, formerly used estrogen but stopped prior to prostate cancer diagnosis, or actively used estrogen at diagnosis. Due to limited sample sizes, analyses were only descriptive.

Among 449 patients with prostate cancer and transgender identity codes, 155 (35%, an estimated 14 cases per year) were confirmed transgender women with prostate cancer: 116 never used estrogen, 17 formerly used estrogen, and 22 actively used estrogen at diagnosis. All prostate cancer diagnoses were screen detected. At diagnosis, the median age was 61 years, 88% were White, median PSA was 6.8 ng/mL, the median duration of estrogen use was 32 months among former and active estrogen users, 43% (50 of 115) were biopsy grade group 1, and 45% (49 of 108) were clinical stage T1 ( Table ); 98% (152 of 155) had not undergone bilateral orchiectomy. Biopsy grade group 1 or 2 was found in 58 of 82 patients (71%) with no prior estrogen use, 9 of 16 (56%) with former estrogen use, and 9 of 17 (53%) with estrogen use at diagnosis.

The percentage of patients with biopsy grade group 4 or 5 was 23% (19 of 82) of patients who never used estrogen, 10 (12%) of whom were grade group 5; 25% (4 of 16) of former users, 1 (6%) of whom was grade group 5; and 35% (6 of 17) of active users, 5 (29%) of whom were grade group 5. The median PSA density was 0.21 ng/mL/g for never estrogen users, 0.26 ng/mL/g for former users, and 0.31 ng/mL/g for active users.

This case series demonstrated that prostate cancer occurs in transgender women and is not as rare as published case reports might suggest. However, rates were lower than expected based on prior prostate cancer incidence estimates in cisgender male veterans. 4 Using data from 2005 to 2019, 4 the age-weighted cisgender mean number of cases was 331 per 100 000 in 2011 (median year of transgender identity entry in the VA 2 ). Given estimates of 10 000 transgender women in the VA, 2 33 cases per year would be expected. Instead, only about 14 per year were observed. Lower rates may stem from less PSA screening owing to barriers including lack of prostate cancer risk awareness or stigma, 5 the suppressive effects of estrogen on prostate cancer development, or prostate cancers being missed in transgender women because of misinterpretation of “normal” PSA levels among those receiving gender-affirming hormone therapies.

Although limited numbers precluded formal statistical comparisons, transgender women receiving estrogen at diagnosis had the most aggressive disease (highest PSA density and proportion of biopsy grade group 5), suggesting delayed diagnosis or early selection of cancer cells resistant to androgen deprivation, which tend to be more aggressive. Among transgender women, 25% overall and 35% receiving estrogen had biopsy grade group 4 or 5 vs only 16% among cisgender male veterans. 6 Only 8% of transgender women with prostate cancer vs 29% of cisgender male veterans with prostate cancer were Black, 6 suggesting additional disparities at the intersection of race and gender identity.

Limitations include being a case series without a formal comparison group, restriction to the VA population, and the inability to access records outside the VA unless documented in notes, which may have underestimated prostate cancer numbers. Associations between characteristics such as estrogen use and markers of disease severity may reflect selection on disease diagnosis (an index event). Future work is needed to optimize prostate cancer detection strategies in transgender women.

Accepted for Publication: March 28, 2023.

Published Online: April 29, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.6028

Corresponding Author: Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, MD, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Hall Global Health Science Bldg, 550 16th St, Sixth Floor, Box 1695, San Francisco, CA 94143 ( [email protected] ).

Author Contributions: Drs Nik-Ahd and Freedland had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Drs Cooperberg and Freedland contributed equally.

Concept and design: Nik-Ahd, Freedland.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors.

Drafting of the manuscript: Nik-Ahd, Freedland.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Statistical analysis: Nik-Ahd, Anger, Freedland.

Obtained funding: Carroll, Cooperberg.

Administrative, technical, or material support: De Hoedt, Butler, Carroll, Freedland.

Supervision: Butler, Anger, Carroll, Cooperberg, Freedland.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Cooperberg reported serving as an advisor for Astellas, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Merck, Veracyte, Bayer, Dendreon, Exact Sciences, Exosome, Verana Health, and ConcertAI outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 2 .

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