[Actuarial analysis of time-failure data and its rrelevance for   interpretation of results. Audit of the journal "Strahlentherapie und  Onkologie" (Radiotherapy and Oncology)].
BACKGROUND
The statistical quality of the contributions to "Strahlentherapie und Onkologie" is assessed, aiming for improvement of the journal and consequently its impact factor.


METHODS
All 181 articles published during 1998 and 1999 in the categories "review", "original contribution", and "short communication" were analyzed concerning actuarial analysis of time-failure data.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-three publications without time-failure data were excluded from analysis. Forty-five of the remaining 58 publications with time-failure data were evaluated actuarially. This corresponds to 78% (95% confidence interval: 64 to 88%) of papers, in which data were adequately analyzed. Complications were reported in 16 of 58 papers, but in only 3 cases actuarially. The number of patients at risk during the course of follow-up was documented adequately in 22 of the 45 publications with actuarial analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Authors, peer reviewers, and editors could contribute to improve the quality of the journal by setting value on acturial analysis of time-failure data.
Dubben
H H
HH
Abteilung für Strahlentherapie und Radio-Onkologie, Universität Hamburg. dubben@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Beck-Bornholdt
H P
HP
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D001699:Biometry; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure