因果推断研究是一种因果关系检验，目的是评估暴露因素对结果的影响。试验性研究和观察性研究均可用于检验暴露因素和结局的因果关联。由于伦理或试验条件等因素影响，试验性研究有时会受到限制。临床研究中观察性研究占有很大比例，但观察性研究如果设计方案不严谨、混杂因素控制不好，则会影响观察性研究的有效性和研究价值。来自世界各国的35个杂志的47位编辑组成了特别小组，制定了《因果推断研究中混杂因素控制与结果报告指南》，给予了研究者很好的指导。本文对该指南进行解读，希望对临床研究者提供帮助。“,”Causal inference research is a causal test designed to assess the impact of exposures on outcomes.Both experimental and observational studies can be used to examine causal associations between exposure factors and outcomes. Experimental studies are sometimes limited by factors such as ethics or experimental conditions. Observational studies account for a large proportion in clinical studies, but the effectiveness and research value of observational studies will be affected if the design of observational studies is not rigorous and the confounding factors are not well controlled.The n Guidelines for controlling confounding factors and reporting results in causal inference studie formulated by a special group of 47 editors from 35 journals from all over the world provide good guidance to researchers. This article interprets the guidelines and hopes to provide help for clinical researchers.n