A Systematic Scoping Review of Participant Descriptor, Diversity and Inclusivity Data Reported in Randomised Studies...

Poor reporting of baseline descriptor, diversity and inclusion data is a barrier in surgical research for drawing generalisable conclusions across diverse populations. Post-operative ileus was used as an exemplar surgical condition to quantify the variation in baseline descriptor, inclusivity and diversity data in randomised controlled trials and to identify targets for improved reporting for baseline descriptors.

A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases was performed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the context of post-operative ileus after abdominal surgery. Two assessors independently screened studies. Baseline descriptors, including diversity and inclusion descriptors, were extracted and summarised. A narrative synthesis quantified variation and explored targets for improvement.

Of 4887 studies initially identified, 211 met inclusion criteria, and 184 were accessible for inclusion. A total of 92 unique descriptors were identified. The median number of descriptors per RCT was 6 (IQR: 4-8). Characteristics known to predispose patients to ileus, including baseline opioids (n = 4/184; 2.2%) and previous surgery (n = 38/184; 20.7%), were uncommonly reported. The most common characteristics were age (n = 181/184; 98.4%) and one of either sex or gender (n = 152/184; 82.6%). A total of 18 (9.8%) RCTs reported participants' ethnic group, described variably as 'race' or 'ethnicity'. No studies reported physical disability.

Substantial heterogeneity exists in the reporting of baseline participant descriptors in the common surgical context of post-operative ileus. Data relating to diversity and inclusion is seldom reported and difficult to interpret. Homogenising the reporting of these data will improve the comparability and representativeness of future results.