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Are randomized controlled trials in urology being conducted with justification?
Samuel Shepard1, Audrey Wise1, Bradley S Johnson1
1Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA.
Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
|May 21, 2021
Summary
Systematic reviews (SRs) are inconsistently used to justify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in top urology journals. Improving SR utilization can reduce research waste and enhance evidence-based medicine in urology.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Research Methodology
Background:
- Minimizing research waste is crucial given increased urology research funding.
- Systematic reviews (SRs) consolidate evidence, aiding in the reduction of redundant studies and unsubstantiated treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use of SRs as justification for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in leading urology journals.
- To analyze how SRs were incorporated into RCT manuscripts within the top four urology journals.
Main Methods:
- A PubMed search identified RCTs published between 2014-2019 in four high-impact urology journals.
- Data extracted included intervention type, funding, trial design, and SR citation (verbatim, inferred, or not used).
Main Results:
- Over half (54.3%) of included RCTs cited an SR for justification; 39.1% cited it verbatim.
- A significant association was found between verbatim SR justification and "other" intervention types (58.1%) compared to pharmaceutical trials (33.1%).
- SR citations were most frequently found in the Discussion section (50.8%) rather than the Methods section (3.7%).
Conclusions:
- RCTs in top urology journals show inconsistent referencing of SRs for justification, with 39.1% not citing any SR.
- A gap exists between evidence-based medicine principles and their application in urology RCTs.
- Educating researchers on SR use for RCT justification may decrease research waste and improve study quality in urology.
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