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The reporting of randomized controlled trials in prosthodontics
Asbjørn Jokstad1, Marco Esposito, Paul Coulthard
1Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, PO Box 1109 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway. jokstad@odont.uio.no
The International Journal of Prosthodontics
|June 18, 2002
Summary
Reporting of randomized controlled trials in prosthodontics is poor. Most studies fail to adequately describe randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding, hindering reliable clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Dental research
- Prosthodontics
- Clinical trial methodology
Background:
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are crucial for evidence-based dentistry.
- High-quality reporting ensures trial validity and reproducibility.
- Previous assessments indicate variability in RCT reporting standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reporting quality of RCTs in prosthodontics.
- To assess adherence to contemporary reporting guidelines like CONSORT.
- To identify common deficiencies in published prosthodontic RCTs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search for RCTs in prosthodontics published up to 2000.
- Appraisal of 92 RCT reports using Jadad and CONSORT guidelines.
- Evaluation of statistical reporting appropriateness.
Main Results:
- Most RCT reports (92 evaluated) were of poor methodologic quality.
- Key elements like randomization (70%) and allocation concealment (94%) were frequently not described.
- Blinding was absent in 72% of studies, and statistical reporting was often inadequate or unclear.
Conclusions:
- Prosthodontic RCT reporting significantly deviates from current best practices.
- Improvements in trial design and reporting are needed to enhance the reliability of prosthodontic research.
- Adherence to guidelines like CONSORT is essential for robust clinical evidence.