Orthopaedic fractures: trends in randomised controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain and describe the number and epidemiology of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) focused on orthopaedic fractures.


METHODS
A sensitive literature search was carried out for the period 1966-May 1999. Labels were applied to each identified RCT to indicate the fracture type, and the main type of intervention.


RESULTS
648 RCTs related to surgery of which 123 focused on adjuvant therapies and 88 related mainly to anaesthesia, analgesia, and radiography. The number of trials have increased exponentially with time so that the present decade has seen more RCTs published than all the other years added together.


CONCLUSIONS
There is clearly an encouraging trend in the number of RCTs published. However there is a need to ensure that trials are on fracture types where there is most need for guidance. This growing evidence base should fuel systematic reviews and clinical guidelines within orthopaedics.
Robert
I E
IE
Medical Research Unit, School of Postgraduate Medicine, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, Stoke on Trent, UK.
Hyde
C J
CJ
Bridgman
S A
SA
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000639:trends; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*