The elephant in the room: quality control of endometriosis data.
With the steadily increasing volume of endometriosis articles, and titles and abstracts readily available online, there is a growing risk that references are cited without the full articles having been read by the author(s) or by referees. Too often the titles and statements in abstracts are not supported by data in the published articles. Therefore, the peer-review process should direct extra attention to titles and abstracts to ensure that they are supported by data in the manuscript. Moreover, it is suggested that authors explicitly indicate which references have been read in full. To support the secondary peer-review process, we urge open-access journals to welcome letters to the editor and publish them instead of quietly "burying" them on the Internet.
Koninckx
Philippe R
PR
Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium. pkoninckx@gmail.com
Batt
Ronald E
RE
Hummelshoj
Lone
L
McVeigh
Enda
E
Ussia
Anastasia
A
Yeh
John
J
D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D035081:Editorial Policies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017712:Peer Review, Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care