Identifying randomized clinical trials in Spanish-language dermatology journals

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Clinical Research
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Clinical research provides essential knowledge for good clinical practice.
• Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are fundamental for therapeutic decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive search for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published in Spanish-language dermatology journals.
• To identify the volume and scope of dermatology RCTs in Spanish and Latin American publications.

Main Methods:

• Searched multiple databases (PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, etc.) and utilized internet searches.
• Contacted dermatology associations and professionals in Spanish-speaking countries.
• Manually and electronically searched all available volumes of identified dermatology journals up to 2012.

Main Results:

• Identified 28 dermatology journals, including 21 in the search, yielding 144 RCTs from 1969 to 2012.
• 54% of RCTs were in Latin American journals and 46% in Spanish journals.
• Commonly studied conditions included psoriasis, mycoses, acne vulgaris, common warts, and lower limb skin ulcers; manual searches were more effective.

Conclusions:

• Manual searches proved more effective in identifying RCTs.
• The number of RCTs published in Spanish and Latin American journals is relatively low compared to English-language journals.
• While the internet improved access, full open-access to many journal articles remains limited, with many issues not yet digitized.