title: Describing ICU data with tables.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of a scientific paper is to communicate results and within the paper this applies especially to the presentation of data. It is the universal practice in medical journals to present statistical results using tables. Good tables are an integral part of the manuscript. To help researchers communicate their results, we present practical guidance for reporting statistical results using tables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five key points are presented for reporting statistical results using tables: (1) early reflection and choice about the results to present, (2) presentation of tables and definition of rows and columns, (3) filling the cells, (4) title, caption, footnotes, and quality, (5) final checklist.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This guidance is a practical tool to improve the reporting of statistical results using tables when presenting ICU data in future research.
authors.affiliation: AP-HP, Hôpital Robert Debré, Unité d'Epidémiologie Clinique, 48 Bd Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France, corinne.alberti@inserm.fr.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: Rym
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boulkedid
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018156:Journalism, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*