PRILE 2021 guidelines for reporting laboratory studies in Endodontology: A consensus-based development.

Prior research has shown that inconsistent reporting in laboratory studies can reduce reproducibility and limit the usefulness of findings. It was already known that standardized reporting guidelines improve clarity and quality in scientific communication. However, no prior work had resolved the specific challenges of reporting in Endodontology laboratory studies. This gap motivated the development of a specialized set of guidelines. Researchers have long recognized the need for structured reporting in dental research. Yet, no consensus-based framework existed for Endodontology. The lack of such a tool hindered the ability to compare and build upon prior work. This uncertainty drove the creation of the PRILE 2021 guidelines. The absence of a tailored checklist for Endodontology studies limited the field’s capacity to produce reliable and reproducible research.

The aim of this study was to develop a consensus-based reporting guideline for laboratory studies in Endodontology. The researchers sought to improve the clarity and completeness of such reports. They recognized that structured guidelines could enhance the reproducibility of findings. The motivation came from the need to standardize reporting practices in this field. The team wanted to ensure that future studies could be evaluated and replicated effectively. They also aimed to provide a resource that authors could use before peer review. The ultimate goal was to improve the quality of published Endodontology research. This effort was intended to support the translation of laboratory findings into clinical practice.

The steering committee assembled a group of experts to guide the process. They combined items from existing reporting checklists for dental research. These included the modified Consolidated Statement of Reporting Trials checklist and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications principles. The committee added new items to address Endodontology-specific concerns. They formed two expert groups: the PRILE Delphi Group and the PRILE Online Meeting Group. The Delphi Group used an online process to reach consensus on the checklist items. The Online Meeting Group discussed the draft checklist and flowchart in a virtual session. The final version was piloted by authors writing laboratory study reports for publication.

The PRILE 2021 checklist includes items adapted from existing reporting standards. The Delphi process resulted in a consensus on the final checklist and flowchart. The checklist was reviewed and refined during the online meeting on 12 February 2021. The steering committee finalized the guidelines after incorporating expert feedback. The checklist and flowchart were tested in real-world writing scenarios. Authors found the tools helpful in improving the clarity of their reports. The guidelines were made freely available for download and use. The PRILE 2021 resources are accessible on the Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology website.

The authors state that the PRILE 2021 guidelines provide a structured approach to reporting laboratory studies in Endodontology. They emphasize that the checklist and flowchart were developed through a well-documented consensus process. The guidelines aim to enhance the completeness and clarity of published reports. The researchers propose that using these tools can improve the reproducibility of findings. They suggest that the checklist may help authors meet peer-review expectations. The flowchart is intended to guide the structure of laboratory study reports. The authors encourage widespread adoption of the PRILE 2021 resources. They believe the guidelines may support better communication and comparison of Endodontology research.