[Analysis of randomized controlled trials on otorhinolaryngological diseases in China].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in otorhinolaryngology in China and offer evidence for the improvement of RCT.


METHODS
Five kinds of Chinese journals of clinical otorhinolaryngology were searched, and RCTs were identified and analyzed according to the standards of Evidence Based Medicine.


RESULTS
Two hundred and eighty seven issues were referred to, and eighty-one RCTs were finally identified and analyzed. Of these RCTs, 34.57% (28/81) had definite diagnostic standards, 38.27% (31/81) had including standards and 33.33% (27/81) had excluding standards; only 1.23% (1/81) got the approval of the participants; 40.74% (33/81) had moderate sample size, 3.70% (3/81) had large sample size and non of them mentioned sample size estimation; 81.48% (66/81) didn't report the method of randomization and 38.27% (31/81) had baseline comparison; 18.52% (15/81) didn't define the control interventions and 8.64% (7/81) even didn't explicate the experimental intervention; 32.10% (26/81) used blank comparison; 86.42% (70/81) didn't use blindness; 37.04% (30/81) didn't mention the adverse effects; 23.46% (19/81) used accredited standards to evaluate the outcomes; 11.11% (9/81) mentioned the loss of following-up and only 1.23% (1/81) treated the loss with statistics methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The quantity and quality of otorhinolaryngological RCTs couldn't meet the clinical need. More high quality RCTs are required to improve the level of prevention and cure of otorhinolaryngologic diseases.
Liang
Chuanyu
C
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. lcyj@mail.sc.cninfo.net
Chen
Na
N
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D011643:Publishing; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*