What is an endpoint adjudication committee and why is it used?

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Endpoint adjudication committees are independent panels that review potential study events against predefined, protocol-specified criteria to determine whether an event meets the trial’s endpoint definitions. They ensure unbiased, consistent assessment of outcomes across sites, often with reviewers blinded to treatment to minimize bias. Typically they examine source documents, imaging, and other evidence, apply the same rules, and resolve disagreements through a formal process so the final endpoint classifications used in analyses are standardized. This is especially important in multicenter trials and for subjective or complex outcomes—like myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death—where local judgments may vary. The committee’s role is to adjudicate, not to approve the trial, manage data entry, or draft the protocol.