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Updated: May 22, 2025

An R-Based Landscape Validation of a Competing Risk Model
Published on: September 16, 2022
Is CONSORT a Risk of Bias Tool for Experimental Studies: A Big Misunderstanding
Ehsan Sarbazi1, Homayoun Sadeghi-Bazargani2
1Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Introduction:
In order to avoid bias in systematic reviews (SRs), the accuracy in selection of risk of bias (RoB) assessment tools is essential to obtain highest level of evidence for evidence-based decision making in health care. We aimed to review how 'CONSORT statement', as a reporting quality of randomized controlled trials, has been misused in recent SRs as a ROB tool.
Methods:
A mini-review was performed in international databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and hand-searches for published and unpublished literature from 2000 to 2021 and written in English. The following keywords: risk of bias, "Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials", CONSORT, "systematic review" were used. Citations were screened and those meeting our inclusion criteria were retained.
Results:
A total of 11 SRs were identified that misused CONSORT as a ROB tool, four of which were used only CONSORT as ROB tool. Different authentic magazines from various countries were recognized.
Conclusion:
The CONSORT statement aims to increase clarity and consistency of transparency of reporting in randomized controlled trials. It is quite essential to draw the attention of SR researchers, journal editors/reviewers as well as the reading audience to the fact that CONSORT statement CONSORT statement is not a ROB tool.
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