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In draft

Timeframes, fixed points in time, and other milestones may be defined in the context of a study as references to which the timing of other collected observations is related. In such cases, timeframes are referred to as reference periods and such fixed points in time and milestones are referred to as reference time points.


Timing Relative to Reference Periods and Other Dates

The start and end dates (and times when applicable) of an applicant-defined reference period for a study are represented using variables RFSTDTC and RFENDTC respectively in the Demographics (DM) domain. Applicants may also define dates/times, in addition to a study reference period, from which to reference the relative timing of observations. In both cases, such dates are used as references from which to populate the variables described below.

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Timing Relative to Reference Time pointsPoints

Applicants may define time points within a study from which to reference the relative timing of observations. In such cases, timepoints are used as references from which to populate the variables described below.


Metadataspec
NumVariable PopulationImplementation

Timing Relative to a Fixed Reference Time Point



--STRTPT, --STTPT, --ENRTPT, and --ENTPT

  • Variable --
STRTPT represents
  • STTPT represents an applicant-defined fixed time point that characterizes the start of an observation
relative to a
  • .
    • Allowable values for --STTPT are a description of or the date and/or time of the fixed reference time point. 
  • Variable --
ENRTPT
  • STRTPT represents the
end
  • start of an observation relative to a reference time point.
  • The variables --STRTPT and --ENRTPT represent the start 
  • The description or date and/or 
    time of a time point that acts as 
    a fixed reference for 
    characterizing the start of an 
    observation
      • Allowable values 




    • contain values similar to --STRF and --ENRF, but may be anchored with any timing description or date/time value expressed in the respective --STTPT and --ENTPT variables, and are not limited to the study reference period. Unlike the variables --STRF and --ENRF, which for all domains are defined relative to one study reference period, the timing variables --STRTPT, --STTPT, --ENRTPT, and --ENTPT are defined by each sponsor for each study. Allowable values for --STRTPT and --ENRTPT are as follows.

    If the reference time point corresponds to the date of collection or assessment:

    • Start values: An observation can start BEFORE that time point, can start COINCIDENT with that time point, or it can be UNKNOWN when it started.
    • End values: An observation can end BEFORE that time point, can end COINCIDENT with that time point, can be known that it did not end but was ONGOING, or it can be UNKNOWN when it ended or if it was ongoing.
    • AFTER is not a valid value in this case because it would represent an event after the date of collection.

    If the reference time point is prior to the date of collection or assessment:

    • Start values: An observation can start BEFORE the reference point, can start COINCIDENT with the reference point, can start AFTER the reference point, or it can be UNKNOWN when it started.
    • End values: An observation can end BEFORE the reference point, can end COINCIDENT with the reference point, can end AFTER the reference point, can be known that it did not end but was ONGOING, or it can be UNKNOWN when it ended or if it was ongoing.

    Although "DURING" and "DURING/AFTER" are in the STENRF codelist, they describe timing relative to an interval of time rather than a point in time, so are not allowable for use with --STRTPT and --ENRTPT variables.



    f instances of an activity are scheduled at planned time intervals relative to a fixed reference point (e.g., administration of a dose), the following timing variables should be used:

    • --TPTREF: the description of the fixed reference point event or "anchor" from which the planned observation will be made, usually the dose (e.g., "Day 1 Dose"; "Day 1, Dose 1").
    • --ELTM: the planned elapsed time from the fixed reference point event (e.g., a dose) to the planned observation, in ISO 8601 format, which is usually also reflected in the --TPT label. For example, if an observation is planned for 30 minutes after the day 1 dose (e.g., --TPT = "30 minute postdose"), --TPTREF would be "Day 1 Dose" with an --ELTM of PT30M.
    • --TPT: the label for the time point relative to –TPTREF planned observation, typically reflecting --ELTM. For example, if --TPT is "30 minute postdose," then --ELTM would be PT30M; a "1 hour" --TPT would have an --ELTM of PT1H .
    • --TPTNUM: indicates the order of the time points (TPT) relative to the fixed reference point (TPTREF) for the category and/or subcategory (CAT/--SCAT) of data within a domain. The ordering/sequence number of the time point (e.g., 1, 2, 3) is sponsor-defined, but is usually at least unique within the given interval. For example, for a given day with 3 time points (pre-dose, 30 minutes post-dose, 1 hour post-dose), --TPTNUM could be 1 for pre-dose, 2 for 30 minutes post-dose, and 3 for 1 hour post-dose, to establish their relative order.

    For each unique planned time point (--TPT), there must be a one-to-one relationship between the values of --TPT and --TPTNUM. Uniqueness for these time points is determined by a combination of the domain, fixed reference point (TPTREF), and (if present) category and/or subcategory (CAT/--SCAT).

    Other variables (e.g., --TESTCD, --METHOD) may also be needed in some cases to define uniqueness. When this occurs, clarification should be provided as a comment to --TPTNUM in the define file.

    --RFTDTC is used to represent the actual date/time of the fixed reference point (--TPTREF).