| Reporting on methods of subgroup analysis in clinical trials: a survey of four scientific journals. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 11668354 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Results of subgroup analysis (SA) reported in randomized clinical trials (RCT) cannot be adequately interpreted without information about the methods used in the study design and the data analysis. Our aim was to show how often inaccurate or incomplete reports occur. First, we selected eight methodological aspects of SA on the basis of their importance to a reader in determining the confidence that should be placed in the author's conclusions regarding such analysis. Then, we reviewed the current practice of reporting these methodological aspects of SA in clinical trials in four leading journals, i.e., the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Lancet, and the American Journal of Public Health. Eight consecutive reports from each journal published after July 1, 1998 were included. Of the 32 trials surveyed, 17 (53%) had at least one SA. Overall, the proportion of RCT reporting a particular methodological aspect ranged from 23 to 94%. Information on whether the SA preceded/followed the analysis was reported in only 7 (41%) of the studies. Of the total possible number of items to be reported, NEJM, JAMA, Lancet and AJPH clearly mentioned 59, 67, 58 and 72%, respectively. We conclude that current reporting of SA in RCT is incomplete and inaccurate. The results of such SA may have harmful effects on treatment recommendations if accepted without judicious scrutiny. We recommend that editors improve the reporting of SA in RCT by giving authors a list of the important items to be reported. |
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Authors:
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E D Moreira; Z Stein; E Susser |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas médicas e biológicas / Sociedade Brasileira de Biofísica ... [et al.] Volume: 34 ISSN: 0100-879X ISO Abbreviation: Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. Publication Date: 2001 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2001-10-22 Completed Date: 2002-04-01 Revised Date: 2007-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8112917 Medline TA: Braz J Med Biol Res Country: Brazil |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1441-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Núcleo de Epidemiologia e Estatística, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Waldemar Falçao, 121, 40295-001 Salvador, BA, Brasil. edson@cpqgm.fiocruz.br |
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Data Interpretation, Statistical Humans Periodicals as Topic / standards* Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods, standards* Research Design / standards |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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D43 TW 00018/TW/FIC NIH HHS |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Braz J Med Biol Res. 2001 Nov;34(11):1365-7
[PMID:
11668344
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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