an outcome measure in clinical research that combines two or more individual, clinically relevant events, domains, or endpoints into a single measure. By grouping multiple outcomes together, a composite outcome captures a broader concept of disease status or treatment effect than any single endpoint alone. Composite outcomes are especially useful when individual events are rare, when a multidimensional view of disease is needed, or when measuring overall treatment benefit.
Synonyms: Composite, Composite Instrument, Composite Outcome Measure, Composite Measure, Combined Endpoint
Example
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) research, the DAS28 (Disease Activity Score 28-joint count) is a composite outcome combining tender and swollen joint counts, patient-reported global health, and an inflammatory marker (ESR or CRP) into a single score to assess disease activity.