The Value of Medical Registries and Observational Studies Early in Pandemics: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Experience

Whereas randomized clinical trials remain the gold standard for evaluating new therapies for infections, we argue that registries and observational studies early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided invaluable understanding of the natural history and preliminary data on risk factors and possible treatments. We review the data from the current pandemic, the history of registries in general, and their value in public health emergencies. Whereas randomized clinical trials remain the gold standard for evaluating new therapies for infections, we argue that registries and observational studies early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic provided invaluable understanding of the natural history and preliminary data on risk factors and possible treatments. We review the data from the current pandemic, the history of registries in general, and their value in public health emergencies. Lessons from these experiences should be incorporated into rigorous planning for the next pandemic.