Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Baseline comparisons in surgical trials.

John C Hall1, Jane L Hall

  • 1University Department of Surgery at Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. jchall@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

ANZ Journal of Surgery
|August 23, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Acral Nodular Melanoma at a Site of Trauma.

Kansas journal of medicine·2023
Same author

Decreasing tobacco use promotes ulcer healing in a patient with Buerger's disease.

Clinical case reports·2023
Same author

Syphilis presenting as exfoliative erythroderma.

International journal of dermatology·2022
Same author

Dystrophic calcinosis cutis: treatment with intravenous sodium thiosulfate.

Cutis·2020
Same author

Acute Cutaneous Necrosis: A Guide to Early Diagnosis and Treatment.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery·2017
Same author

Molecular Subsetting of Interferon Pathways in Sjögren's Syndrome.

Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)·2015
Same journal

A Single Centre Feasibility Study of Vacuum Assisted Breast Biopsy Excision as a Non-Surgical Alternative for Selected Women With Borderline Breast Lesions.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
Same journal

Bilateral Ureteric Embolisation as Definitive Urinary Diversion in a Complex Radiation-Induced Fistulation.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
Same journal

Diagnostic Guidelines for the Evaluation of Choledocholithiasis in Patients With Acute Biliary Presentations: A Study of Their Applicability and Feasibility in a Publicly Funded Healthcare System.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
Same journal

Clinical Outcomes of Non-Operative Versus Operative Treatment in Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
Same journal

How to Do It: Dual Irrigation-Drainage System for Drainage and Debridement of Pancreatic Necrosis Collections.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
Same journal

Operating Theatre Waste Generation and Segregation in a Tertiary Hospital: A Prospective Waste Audit.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
See all related articles

Baseline comparisons in surgical trials require improvement. Many studies inappropriately use P-values, potentially affecting intervention evaluation and clinical trial validity.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Trials
  • Surgical Research
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Baseline measurements are critical for clinical trials to ensure group equivalence.
  • Proper baseline data allows observed differences to be attributed to the intervention.
  • This study reviews baseline comparison practices in surgical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the methodology of baseline comparisons in surgical clinical trials.
  • To identify common deficiencies in reporting and analysis of baseline data.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of 206 surgical trials published between 1997 and 1999.
  • Analysis of baseline data reporting in 10 leading medical journals.
  • Evaluation of statistical methods used for baseline equivalence.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • 73% of trials used tables for baseline data; over a quarter reported fewer than five items.
  • One-third of trials incorrectly used P-values to assess baseline equivalence.
  • Only 17% of multicentre studies considered individual centres as potential confounders.

Conclusions:

  • Enhanced attention to baseline comparisons is necessary in surgical trials.
  • Utilizing checklists and resources like the CONSORT Statement can improve critical appraisal skills.
  • Clearer guidelines are needed for reporting and analyzing baseline data to ensure trial integrity.