Levels of Evidence in Orthopaedic Trauma Literature.
OBJECTIVE
To review and critically assess trends observed regarding the levels of evidence in published articles in orthopaedic traumatology literature.


METHODS
The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American, and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.


METHODS
All articles from the years 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013 in The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma (JOT) and orthopaedic trauma-related articles from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American (JBJS-A) and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) were analyzed. Articles were categorized by type and ranked for level of evidence according to guidelines from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.


METHODS
Study type and standardized level of evidence were determined for each article. Articles were subcategorized as high-level evidence (I, II), moderate-level evidence (III), and low-level evidence (IV, V).


RESULTS
During the study period, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-American reduced its low-level studies from 80% to 40% (P = 0.00015), Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research decreased its low-level studies from 70% to 27%, and Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma decreased its low-level studies from 78% to 45%. Level IV and V therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic studies demonstrated significant decreases during the study period (P = 0.0046, P < 0.0001, P = 0.026). The percentage of high-level studies increased from 13% to 19%; however, this was not significant (P = 0.42). There was a trend showing an increase in level I and II studies for therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic studies (P = 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
There has been a statistically significant decrease in lower level of evidence studies published in the orthopaedic traumatology literature over the past 15 years.
*Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rowan University-SOM/Inspira Health Network, Vineland, NJ; and †Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Joseph P
JP
Scheschuk
Andrew J
AJ
Mostello
Nicholas J
NJ
Lombardi
Mitchell G
MG
Maltenfort
Kevin B
KB
Freedman
Fotios P
FP
Tjoumakaris
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000592:standards; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000592:standards*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D014481:United States