What does "subject withdrawal" refer to in the context of clinical trials?

"Subject withdrawal" in the context of clinical trials refers specifically to a participant exiting the study before completing it. This can occur for various reasons, including personal choice, experiencing adverse effects, or other circumstances that lead them to no longer wish to participate. Withdrawal is an important concept as it can impact the integrity of the study's results and the ability to analyze data for efficacy and safety.

In clinical research, maintaining accurate records of subject withdrawals is crucial for understanding the factors influencing trial outcomes and for ensuring the validity of the data collected. This knowledge is essential for researchers to adjust their methodologies, improve future trials, and ensure participant safety.

While other options describe various participant behaviors related to compliance or protocol adherence, they do not directly capture the essence of withdrawal, which is fundamentally about a participant's decision to leave the study prematurely.