Consolidated standards of reporting trials consort guidelines

Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved. Abstract Overwhelming evidence shows the quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials RCTs is not optimal. Publication types Research Support, Non-U. Gov't Review. Validity assessments of included evaluations were conducted by one author and independently verified by one of three authors.

We resolved all conflicts by consensus. Where reported, we extracted and qualitatively synthesised data on the methodological quality of RCTs, by scale or score. Main results: Fifty-three publications reporting 50 evaluations were included. The total number of RCTs assessed within evaluations was 16, median per evaluation interquartile range IQR 77 to published in a median of six IQR 3 to 26 journals.

Characteristics of the included RCT populations were variable, resulting in heterogeneity between included evaluations. Validity assessments of included studies resulted in largely unclear judgements. Other outcomes with results that were significant include: scientific rationale and background in the 'Introduction' RR 1.

BMC Medicine , BMJ ;c J Clin Epi ; 63 8 Open Med ;4 1 PLoS Med ;7 3 : e Trials , J Clin Epi ; 63 8 : e1-e