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Trends in randomized controlled trials in ENT: a 30-year review
K W Ah-See1, N C Molony, A G Maran
1Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|July 1, 1997
Summary
The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in otolaryngology literature is increasing, particularly in otology and rhinology. This trend indicates a growing adoption of evidence-based practices in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medicine.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Evidence-based medicine
- Clinical trial methodology
Background:
- Clinical practice increasingly demands evidence-based approaches.
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evidence but challenging in surgical fields.
- A low proportion of RCTs has been noted in otolaryngology (ENT) literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in published RCTs within ENT literature over a 30-year period (1966-1995).
- To identify specific subspecialties within ENT that are more amenable to RCT study designs.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted using Medline.
- Ten prominent otolaryngology journals were reviewed for the period 1966 to 1995.
- Identified RCTs were categorized by subspecialty.
Main Results:
- A total of 296 RCTs were identified.
- Publication of RCTs significantly increased over the study period, with only five published before 1980.
- The majority of RCTs (71%) were concentrated in the fields of otology and rhinology.
Conclusions:
- There is an encouraging upward trend in the number of published RCTs in the ENT literature.
- Otology and rhinology are the subspecialties where RCTs are most frequently conducted.
- The findings suggest a growing commitment to evidence-based research in otolaryngology.