title: Weaknesses in the reporting of cross-sectional studies according to the STROBE statement: the case of metabolic syndrome in adults from Peru.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The inadequate reporting of cross-sectional studies, as in the case of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, could cause problems in the synthesis of new evidence and lead to errors in the formulation of public policies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the reporting quality of the articles regarding metabolic syndrome prevalence in Peruvian adults using the STROBE recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a thorough literature search with the terms "Metabolic Syndrome", "Sindrome Metabolico" and "Peru" in MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, LIPECS and BVS-Peru until December 2014. We selected those who were population-based observational studies with randomized sampling that reported prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adults aged 18 or more of both sexes. Information was analysed through the STROBE score per item and recommendation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen articles were included in this study. All articles met the recommendations related to the report of the study's rationale, design, and provision of summary measures. The recommendations with the lowest scores were those related to the sensitivity analysis (8%, n= 1/17), participant flowchart (18%, n= 3/17), missing data analysis (24%, n= 4/17), and number of participants in each study phase (24%, n= 4/17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cross-sectional studies regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in peruvian adults have an inadequate reporting on the methods and results sections. We identified a clear need to improve the quality of such studies.
authors: Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Lima, Peru.|CRONICAS Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades Crónicas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Peru.|CONEVID, Unidad de Conocimiento y Evidencia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
authors: Jose Carlos
authors: JC
authors: Tapia
authors: Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Lima, Peru.|CONEVID, Unidad de Conocimiento y Evidencia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
authors: Eloy F
authors: EF
authors: Ruiz
authors: Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Lima, Peru.|CONEVID, Unidad de Conocimiento y Evidencia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
authors: Oscar J
authors: OJ
authors: Ponce
authors: Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Lima, Peru.|CRONICAS Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades Crónicas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Peru.|CONEVID, Unidad de Conocimiento y Evidencia, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
authors: German
authors: G
authors: Malaga
authors: Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Lima, Peru.|CRONICAS Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades Crónicas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Peru.
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Miranda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic / Q000592:standards; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Peru; adult; epidemiology; prevalence