title: Has the quality of reporting in periodontology changed in 14 years? A systematic review.
abstract: Quality of reporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in periodontology has been poor. Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines and an extension for non-pharmacologic trials (CONSORT-NPE), were introduced to aid in improving this.
  
  
  
  The aim of this study was to assess the quality of reporting in periodontology, changes over the last 14 years, and adherence to CONSORT-NPE.
  
  
  
  Randomized controlled trials in humans, published in three periodontal journals, from 2013 to 2015 were included. Search was conducted through Medline, Embase and hand searching.
  
  
  
  One hundred and seventy-three full-text articles included. Two reviewers screened for reporting quality (κ = 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.76). 84% of studies (n = 145) described randomization methods, 74% (n = 128) highlighted examiner blinding and 87% (n = 151) accounted for patients at study conclusion. Patient and caregiver blinding was addressed in 50% (n = 70) and 50% (n = 27) of studies respectively. 64% (n = 110) described adequate allocation concealment. Compared with Montenegro et al. (2002, Journal of Dental Research, 81, 866), improvements seen in describing randomization (2002, 16.5%; 2016, 84%), allocation concealment (2002, 6.5%; 2016, 64%), caregiver masking (2002, 17%; 2016, 50%). CONSORT-NPE; 62% (n = 107) had detailed explanations of all treatments, 88% (n = 152) lacked protocols for adherence of caregivers' to an intervention. Only 17% (n = 29) described caregivers' expertise and case volume.
  
  
  
  Substantial improvements have occurred. Attention is required for statistical analysis of patient losses and masking. CONSORT-NPE aspects were poorly reported.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Periodontology, University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK. n.leow@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Natalie M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Leow
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, Eastman Dental Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK.
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrie
authors.affiliation: Clinical Oral Research Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Donos
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Evidence-Based Oral Health, University College London, Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Needleman
mesh_terms: D018865:Dental Research; D006801:Humans; D010517:Periodontics
keywords: bias; clinical trials; random allocation; randomized controlled trials; research design