Reporting of safety results in published reports of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Reports of clinical trials usually emphasize efficacy results, especially when results are statistically significant. Poor safety reporting can lead to misinterpretation and inadequate conclusions about the interventions assessed. Our aim was to describe the reporting of harm-related results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).


METHODS
We searched the MEDLINE database for reports of RCTs published from January 1, 2006, through January 1, 2007, in 6 general medical journals with a high impact factor. Data were extracted by use of a standardized form to appraise the presentation of safety results in text and tables.


RESULTS
Adverse events were mentioned in 88.7% of the 133 reports. No information on severe adverse events and withdrawal of patients owing to an adverse event was given in 27.1% and 47.4% of articles, respectively. Restrictions in the reporting of harm-related data were noted in 43 articles (32.3%) with a description of the most common adverse events only (n = 17), severe adverse events only (n = 16), statistically significant events only (n = 5), and a combination of restrictions (n = 5). The population considered for safety analysis was clearly reported in 65.6% of articles.


CONCLUSIONS
Our review reveals important heterogeneity and variability in the reporting of harm-related results in publications of RCTs.
Département d'Epidémiologie, Biostatistique, et Recherche Clinique, Groupe Hospitalier Bichat-Claude Bernard (AP-HP), Université Denis Diderot, INSERM U738, Paris, France.
Isabelle
I
Pitrou
Isabelle
I
Boutron
Nizar
N
Ahmad
Philippe
P
Ravaud
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D055811:Journal Impact Factor; D018156:Journalism, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D016239:MEDLINE; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome