Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.

Observational studies are the most frequently published studies in literature. When randomized controlled trials cannot be conducted because of ethical or practical considerations, an observational study design is the first choice. The STROBE Statement (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational s...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Martine Hendriksma, Michiel H M A Joosten, Jeroen P M Peters, Wilko Grolman, Inge Stegeman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2017-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5217955?pdf=render
_version_ 1819071891861667840
author Martine Hendriksma
Michiel H M A Joosten
Jeroen P M Peters
Wilko Grolman
Inge Stegeman
author_facet Martine Hendriksma
Michiel H M A Joosten
Jeroen P M Peters
Wilko Grolman
Inge Stegeman
author_sort Martine Hendriksma
collection DOAJ
description Observational studies are the most frequently published studies in literature. When randomized controlled trials cannot be conducted because of ethical or practical considerations, an observational study design is the first choice. The STROBE Statement (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) was developed to provide guidance on how to adequately report observational studies.The objectives were 1) to evaluate the quality of reporting of observational studies of otorhinolaryngologic literature using the STROBE Statement checklist, 2) to compare the quality of reporting of observational studies in the top 5 Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) journals versus the top 5 general medical journals and 3) to formulate recommendations to improve adequate reporting of observational research in otorhinolaryngologic literature.The top 5 general medical journals and top 5 otorhinolaryngologic journals were selected based on their ISI Web of Knowledge impact factors. On August 3rd, 2015, we performed a PubMed search using different filters to retrieve observational articles from these journals. Studies were selected from 2010 to 2014 for the general medical journals and from 2015 for the ENT journals. We assessed all STROBE items to examine how many items were reported adequately for each journal type.The articles in the top 5 general medical journals (n = 11) reported a mean of 69.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 65.8%-72.7%; median 70.6%), whereas the top 5 ENT journals (n = 29) reported a mean of 51.4% (95% CI: 47.7%-55.0%; median 50.0%). The two journal types reported STROBE items significantly different (p < .001).Quality of reporting of observational studies in otorhinolaryngologic articles can considerably enhance. The quality of reporting was better in general medical journals compared to ENT journals. To improve the quality of reporting of observational studies, we recommend authors and editors to endorse and actively implement the STROBE Statement.
first_indexed 2024-12-21T17:29:02Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5f1df57889f641f6a4211ad03e2cde50
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1932-6203
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-21T17:29:02Z
publishDate 2017-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj.art-5f1df57889f641f6a4211ad03e2cde502022-12-21T18:55:58ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032017-01-01121e016931610.1371/journal.pone.0169316Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.Martine HendriksmaMichiel H M A JoostenJeroen P M PetersWilko GrolmanInge StegemanObservational studies are the most frequently published studies in literature. When randomized controlled trials cannot be conducted because of ethical or practical considerations, an observational study design is the first choice. The STROBE Statement (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) was developed to provide guidance on how to adequately report observational studies.The objectives were 1) to evaluate the quality of reporting of observational studies of otorhinolaryngologic literature using the STROBE Statement checklist, 2) to compare the quality of reporting of observational studies in the top 5 Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) journals versus the top 5 general medical journals and 3) to formulate recommendations to improve adequate reporting of observational research in otorhinolaryngologic literature.The top 5 general medical journals and top 5 otorhinolaryngologic journals were selected based on their ISI Web of Knowledge impact factors. On August 3rd, 2015, we performed a PubMed search using different filters to retrieve observational articles from these journals. Studies were selected from 2010 to 2014 for the general medical journals and from 2015 for the ENT journals. We assessed all STROBE items to examine how many items were reported adequately for each journal type.The articles in the top 5 general medical journals (n = 11) reported a mean of 69.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 65.8%-72.7%; median 70.6%), whereas the top 5 ENT journals (n = 29) reported a mean of 51.4% (95% CI: 47.7%-55.0%; median 50.0%). The two journal types reported STROBE items significantly different (p < .001).Quality of reporting of observational studies in otorhinolaryngologic articles can considerably enhance. The quality of reporting was better in general medical journals compared to ENT journals. To improve the quality of reporting of observational studies, we recommend authors and editors to endorse and actively implement the STROBE Statement.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5217955?pdf=render
spellingShingle Martine Hendriksma
Michiel H M A Joosten
Jeroen P M Peters
Wilko Grolman
Inge Stegeman
Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.
PLoS ONE
title Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.
title_full Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.
title_fullStr Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.
title_short Evaluation of the Quality of Reporting of Observational Studies in Otorhinolaryngology - Based on the STROBE Statement.
title_sort evaluation of the quality of reporting of observational studies in otorhinolaryngology based on the strobe statement
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5217955?pdf=render
work_keys_str_mv AT martinehendriksma evaluationofthequalityofreportingofobservationalstudiesinotorhinolaryngologybasedonthestrobestatement
AT michielhmajoosten evaluationofthequalityofreportingofobservationalstudiesinotorhinolaryngologybasedonthestrobestatement
AT jeroenpmpeters evaluationofthequalityofreportingofobservationalstudiesinotorhinolaryngologybasedonthestrobestatement
AT wilkogrolman evaluationofthequalityofreportingofobservationalstudiesinotorhinolaryngologybasedonthestrobestatement
AT ingestegeman evaluationofthequalityofreportingofobservationalstudiesinotorhinolaryngologybasedonthestrobestatement