title: Comparative audit of clinical research in pediatric neurology.
abstract: Clinical research involves direct observation or data collection on human subjects. This study was conducted to evaluate the profile of pediatric neurology clinical research over a decade. Trends in pediatric neurology clinical research were documented through a systematic comparative review of articles published in selected journals. Eleven journals (five pediatric neurology, three general neurology, three general pediatrics) were systematically reviewed for articles involving a majority of human subjects less than 18 years of age for the years 1990 and 2000. Three hundred thirty-five clinical research articles in pediatric neurology were identified in the 11 journals for 1990 and 398 for 2000, a 19% increase. A statistically significant increase in analytic design (21.8% vs 39.5%; P = .01), statistical support (6% vs 16.6%; P < .0001), and multidisciplinary team (69.9% vs 87%; P = .003) was observed. In terms of specific study design, a significant decline in case reports (34.3% vs 10.3%; P < .0001) and an increase in case-control studies (11.3% vs 22.9%; P = .02) were evident over the 10-year interval. This comparative audit revealed that there has been a discernible change in the methodology profile of clinical research in child neurology over a decade. Trends apparently suggest a more rigorous approach to study design and investigation in this field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology/Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC.
authors.forename: Amna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Futaisi
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shevell
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D009462:Neurology / Q000639:trends*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000639:trends; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000639:trends*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000639:trends; D011643:Publishing / Q000639:trends*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends