title: Poor reporting of quality of life outcomes in dermatology randomized controlled clinical trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because many dermatological diseases are chronic but not life-threatening, consideration of their impact on health-related quality of life (QOL) seems essential.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the use of QOL as an evaluation endpoint in randomized clinical trials concerning skin diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies identified by computerized search of 3 bibliographical databases were selected, and their data on QOL as an evaluation endpoint were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 67 studies retained, 87% did not adequately describe the questionnaires; 75% did not address handling of missing data; 95% did not calculate the number of subjects needed to obtain the desired statistical power; 95% did not disclose before-and-after results as means of overall scores and each dimension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our analysis highlighted methodological weaknesses in the use of QOL questionnaire and poor reporting of QOL outcomes in randomized clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier Sud Francilien, Corbeil-Essonnes, France. laurence.lecleach@free.fr
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Le Cleach
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chassany
authors.forename: Annabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolkenstein
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chosidow
mesh_terms: D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003880:Dermatology; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents