Methodological Considerations in Elderly Studies: A Narrative Review

Managers need the results of scientific researches for executive planning. Considering some methodological errors in reported studies in Iran and the lack of specific and summarized references، this article aims to provide practical considerations in elderly studies. In this narrative review، we conducted a comprehensive search in all accessible electronic data bases using “epidemiology” or “methodology” and “elderly” or their synonyms as keywords. Related papers and books were selected. After review، considerable notes were extracted and presented. Considering attrition، death، and non-response rates in sample size calculation، proportional sampling from all strata، and considering differences in clinical manifestations and diagnosis are important. Matching for main confounders، considering recall bias، creating a quiet and comfortable environment to conduct the interview، allocating a certain percentage of participants to high risks، registering age and other quantitative variables in detailed and non-categorized formats، home visit for interview after receiving informed consent from the elderly or their guardians، interview at the closest location to the elderly’s residence، avoiding long interviews، considering bold and legible words in designing the questionnaire، data re-checking with proxy and documents، applying age and sex adjustment for rates، evaluating the functional status، appropriate interpretation related to odds ratio and considering the cost of the studies are the most essential considerations in aging studies. Using epidemiological methods with respect to the characteristics of the elderly enhances the quality of the collected data. Well designed studies provide policy makers with reliable evidence for planning.