Examples of specific matches, general matches, and non-matches between outcomes in regulatory guidance documents and corresponding relevant core outcome sets
| Clinical area | Outcome in EMA/FDA guideline | Outcome in COS | Type of match | Comparative assessment of breadth of outcomes |
| Back pain | Pain intensity | Pain intensity | Specific | — |
| Back pain | Quality of life | Health related quality of life | Specific | — |
| Neurodisability | Sleep disturbance | Sleep | Specific | — |
| Neurodisability | Behavioural reactions | Behaviour | Specific | — |
| Back pain | Emotional functioning | Depression | General | Outcome in COS is narrower |
| Neurodisability | Activities of daily living | Toileting | General | Outcome in COS is narrower |
| Coronary artery disease | Symptomatic improvement | Angina | General | Outcome in COS is narrower |
| Type 1 diabetes | Quality of life | Diabetes related quality of life | General | Outcome in COS is narrower |
| Prostate cancer | Overall survival | Death from prostate cancer | General | Outcome in COS is narrower |
| Type 1 diabetes | Nocturnal hypoglycaemia | Hypoglycaemia | General | Outcome in COS is broader |
| Prostate cancer | Time to need of radical treatment | Treatment failure | General | Outcome in COS is broader |
| Rolandic epilepsy | Coordination | Gross motor function | General | Outcome in COS is broader |
| Multiple sclerosis | Relapse | Employment | Not a match | — |
| Rheumatology | Analgesic Use | Utility | Not a match | — |
| Type 1 diabetes | Body weight | Perceived level of control over diabetes | Not a match | — |
COS=core outcome set; EMA=European Medicines Agency; FDA=US Food and Drug Administration.