Two prognostic indicators of the publication rate of clinical studies were available during ethical review.
OBJECTIVE
To identify prognostic indicators of the publication rate of clinical studies, available to research ethics committees (RECs) during review.


METHODS
Retrospective survival study of a random sample of 100 studies, approved by a Dutch academic REC, with follow-up information by questionnaire and bibliographic searches. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of the association between publication rate and seven factors available during review: six study characteristics and the number of letters sent by the committee during review representing the length of the review process.


RESULTS
Two factors were associated with publication rate: studies with possible therapeutic benefit to participants were less likely to be published than nontherapeutic studies (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.54); with every letter sent, publication was less likely (AHR: 0.46 per letter; 95% CI: 0.17-0.98). Possibly, studies with more-than-minimal burdens to participants were more likely to be published than studies with minimal burdens (AHR: 3.90, 95% CI: 1.03-16.64).


CONCLUSIONS
We identified two prognostic indicators of publication rate. After suitable replication, RECs might explore using prognostic indicators, such as these, to target study protocols at high risk for nonpublication. Discussing the risk of nonpublication with investigators could help prevent nonpublication.
de Jong
Jean Philippe
JP
Division of Clinical Methods and Public Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.ph.dejong@amc.uva.nl
Ter Riet
Gerben
G
Willems
Dick Ludolf
DL
D035843:Biomedical Research; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D026724:Ethical Review; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D017594:Publication Bias / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires