Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
08:36
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
Published on: April 19, 2024
1.2K
Unpublished systematic reviews and financial support: a meta-epidemiological study
Hiraku Tsujimoto1, Yasushi Tsujimoto2,3, Yuki Kataoka4,2
1Hospital Care Research Unit, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center, 2-17-77 Higashi-Naniwa-Cho, Amagasaki, Hyogo, 660-8550, Japan. hira_to_ber3598@yahoo.co.jp.
BMC Research Notes
|December 7, 2017
Summary
Systematic reviews (SRs) registered in PROSPERO were examined for publication status. Funding was associated with SR publication, but conflicts of interest were not significantly linked.
Area of Science:
- Health Research Methodology
- Evidence Synthesis
- Publication Ethics
Background:
- PROSPERO was established to mitigate publication bias in systematic reviews (SRs).
- Previous surveys indicated unpublished SRs and funding issues impacting publication.
- This study examines early publication trends of SRs registered in PROSPERO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the publication status of SRs registered in PROSPERO's first year.
- To assess the association between SR publication and the presence of funding.
- To evaluate the relationship between conflicts of interest (COIs) and SR publication.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 326 SRs registered in PROSPERO between February 2011 and February 2012.
- Tracking publication status at least 65 months post-registration.
- Statistical assessment of funding and COIs as predictors of publication using odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI).
Main Results:
- 26% (85/326) of SRs remained unpublished after 65 months.
- Median time to publication was 16.3 months.
- Funding was significantly associated with publication (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.26 to 3.50); COIs were not (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 0.67 to 8.20).
- Twenty completed SRs were not published.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of systematic reviews remain unpublished.
- Securing funding appears to be a crucial factor promoting the publication of systematic reviews.
- Further investigation is needed to understand barriers to publication for completed systematic reviews.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
1.1K
Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
1.1K
01:26Introduction to Epidemiology
2.0K
Epidemiology, known as the cornerstone of public health, involves studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events in defined populations and applying these insights to control health issues. This is essential for understanding how diseases spread, identifying populations at greater risk, and implementing measures to control or prevent outbreaks. Epidemiology addresses not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease,...
2.0K
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
1.4K
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
1.4K
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
488
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
488
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
1.0K
Epidemiological data primarily involves information on specific populations' occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and diseases. This data is crucial for understanding disease patterns and impacts, aiding public health decision-making and disease prevention strategies. The analysis of epidemiological data employs various statistical methods to interpret health-related data effectively. Here are some commonly used methods:
1.0K
01:11Observational Studies
11.2K
Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
11.2K