The domain 'follow-up' in sensitivity analysis is used to assess the impact of what on results?

• A. Follow-up duration
• B. Baseline covariates
• C. Lab measurement precision
• D. Recruitment rate

Answer: (A)

In sensitivity analysis, researchers test how results hold up under different plausible scenarios. The follow-up domain specifically looks at how the length of the observation period affects the findings. By varying follow-up duration—extending or shortening the time participants are observed, or adjusting how censored data are handled—you check whether the estimated associations stay similar over time. If results are consistent across different follow-up lengths, the conclusions are more robust to how long outcomes could be observed. If they shift with longer or shorter follow-up, it suggests time-dependent effects or biases related to loss to follow-up or late-occurring events. Baseline covariates, lab measurement precision, and recruitment rate pertain to other potential sources of bias or data quality, not the follow-up duration domain.