Development of reporting guidelines for multiple long-term condition research

Incomplete and inconsistent reporting amongst research studies in people with Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) hinders the comprehensive evaluation, synthesis, and interpretation of study findings for application by clinicians, researchers, patients and policymakers. This limitation leads to heterogeneous findings, duplication of work and restricts the practical application of research outcomes in clinical settings, public health strategies, and policymaking. Given the high prevalence and complexity of MLTC, there is a pressing need for standardised guidelines to promote clarity, consistency, and comprehensiveness in study reporting. Such guidelines can enhance transparency and reproducibility, thereby increasing the impact of research on healthcare decisions and policy development.

We followed a four-stage process of guidelines development: a review of MLTC reporting practices; a workshop with diverse stakeholders to identify and refine items for inclusion; a prioritisation consensus exercise to agree on key items; and pilot-testing to refine interpretation and usability of the guidelines.

This work has produced the first set of reporting guidelines addressing the need for standardised reporting in MLTC research. Application of these guidelines has the potential to improve research clarity and reproducibility, enabling better comparisons across studies and shared learning. Improved reporting standards will also facilitate the translation of research findings into effective healthcare strategies and policies, contributing to better health outcomes for MLTC patients.

These initial guidelines offer a structured approach to improving the reporting quality of MLTC research. Future evaluations will assess its impact on research transparency and real-world application.