Conflict of interest disclosure in obstetrics & gynecology

To describe the frequency, patterns, and associations of Obstetrics & Gynecology author conflict of interest disclosures over a 2-year period.

All original research articles published in Obstetrics & Gynecology between July 2008 and June 2010 were individually reviewed to record conflict of interest disclosures. For each article, we assessed the number of authors, the proportion of authors with disclosures, and the assigned level of evidence. For each author, we assessed the number of disclosures. For individuals who participated as authors on more than a single article during this time period and reported disclosure at least once, we also assessed the consistency of the individual's conflict of interest disclosures.

Nineteen percent of articles contained at least one disclosure with a range of one to 73 disclosure per article (median 3). Nearly one third (31%) of articles with disclosures were randomized clinical trials. Articles contributing level I evidence were somewhat more likely to have disclosures (34% compared with 16% and 17% for those reporting levels II and III evidence, P=.004). The median study duration was shorter for articles with disclosures (36 compared with 54 months, P=.003). There were 2,017 unique authors with a range one to 25 per article (median 5). Three hundred twenty-five (16%) were "repeat" authors. Disclosure inconsistencies were noted in 12% of these repeat authors (40/325).

Conflict of interest is disclosed in approximately 20% of original research articles, is more common in level I evidence papers, and appears inconsistent for 12% of repeat authors, suggesting an opportunity to improve disclosure practices.