To systematically assess the quality of urology RCT reporting and identify trends over time.
All RCTs published in four leading urology journals in 2013 were identified and compared to a prior analysis of studies from 1996 and 2004. Two reviewers abstracted data based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist.
A summary reporting score (range: 0–22) for each study was determined. Mean overall scores for 1996, 2004, and 2013 were compared using analysis of variance. We used χ2 to compare the reporting frequency of individual criteria.
Mean CONSORT scores for RCTs were 15.6 ± 2.0 in 2013 (n = 82), 12.0 ± 0.3 in 2004 (n = 87), and 10.2 ± 0.3 in 1996 (n = 65); p < 0.01. Key deficiencies remain in reporting methods of allocation concealment and group assignment (selection bias), and blinding of participants, personnel, and outcome assessors (performance and detection bias). Study limitations are potential reviewer bias resulting from lack of journal deidentification and the relatively low number of studies reviewed.
There has been a substantial improvement in reporting quality of RCTs in urology since CONSORT. Some methodological criteria remain underreported, and increased efforts are necessary to further this improvement.
Treatment decisions are often based on data from randomized controlled trials. We looked at whether these trials in urology are transparent in reporting their design and conduct using a framework known as the CONSORT criteria and found significant improvements over time. Some areas of deficiency remain, and our paper aimed to highlight these drawbacks to promote continued high-quality research.