Active implementation strategy of CONSORT adherence by a dental specialty journal improved randomized clinical trial reporting.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a novel CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) adherence strategy implemented by the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) and to report its impact on the completeness of reporting of published trials.


METHODS
The AJO-DO CONSORT adherence strategy, initiated in June 2011, involves active assessment of randomized clinical trial (RCT) reporting during the editorial process. The completeness of reporting CONSORT items was compared between trials submitted and published during the implementation period (July 2011 to September 2013) and trials published between August 2007 and July 2009.


RESULTS
Of the 42 RCTs submitted (July 2011 to September 2013), 23 were considered for publication and assessed for completeness of reporting, seven of which were eventually published. For all published RCTs between 2007 and 2009 (n = 20), completeness of reporting by CONSORT item ranged from 0% to 100% (Median = 40%, interquartile range = 60%). All published trials in 2011-2013, reported 33 of 37 CONSORT (sub) items. Four CONSORT 2010 checklist items remained problematic even after implementation of the adherence strategy: changes to methods (3b), changes to outcomes (6b) after the trial commenced, interim analysis (7b), and trial stopping (14b), which are typically only reported when applicable.


CONCLUSIONS
Trials published following implementation of the AJO-DO CONSORT adherence strategy completely reported more CONSORT items than those published or submitted previously.
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO), Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington, D-569 HSC, Box 357446, Seattle, WA 98195-7446, US; Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, School of Dental Medicine/Medical Faculty, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7 CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: npandis@yahoo.com.
Nikolaos
N
Pandis
Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Ave. Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
Larissa
L
Shamseer
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO), Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington, D-569 HSC, Box 357446, Seattle, WA 98195-7446, US.
Vincent G
VG
Kokich
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO), Department of Orthodontics, University of Washington, D-569 HSC, Box 357446, Seattle, WA 98195-7446, US; Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner St., London E1 2 AD, UK.
Padhraig S
PS
Fleming
Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Ave. Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
David
D
Moher
D006801:Humans; D007598:Journalism, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D009970:Orthodontics; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
CONSORT; CONSORT compliance; CONSORT implementation; Dental journal; Orthodontics; Reporting of RCTs