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Confounding in publications of observational intervention studies
Rolf H H Groenwold1, Arno W Hoes, Eelko Hak
1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Universiteitsweg 100, STR 6.118, 3584 GC, Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.h.h.groenwold@umcutrecht.nl
European Journal of Epidemiology
|May 8, 2007
Summary
Most observational intervention studies fail to acknowledge confounding bias. A review of medical literature found only 9% of papers mentioned terms related to confounding, adjustment, or bias.
Area of Science:
- Medical research methodology
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Observational studies are crucial for intervention research.
- Confounding bias can significantly distort findings in observational studies.
- Assessing the acknowledgment of confounding is vital for evaluating study quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the extent to which observational intervention studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals from 1985-2005 acknowledged confounding bias.
- To quantify the proportion of studies mentioning terms indicative of confounding appreciation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search conducted in the Medline database.
- Inclusion of peer-reviewed medical journal articles on observational intervention studies.
- Analysis of study text for mentions of 'confounding', 'adjustment', or 'bias'.
Main Results:
- A low proportion of studies demonstrated awareness of confounding bias.
- Only 9% of the analyzed observational intervention studies mentioned relevant terms.
- The period 1985-2005 showed limited explicit acknowledgment of confounding.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant gap in the acknowledgment of confounding bias in published observational intervention studies.
- Researchers may not be adequately addressing or reporting on confounding.
- Improved reporting standards are needed to enhance the reliability of observational study findings.
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