Bias Control has Improved for RCTs Published in Prosthodontic Journals

Objectives: Bias can occur in various phases of an investigation and its control is an important measure of the validity of results for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). The purpose of this study is to determine if bias control in prosthodontic RCTs published from 2008-2017 has improved over those published from 1988-1997.
Methods: MEDLINE was searched for RCTs in The International Journal of Prosthodontics, The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and The Journal of Prosthodontics published from 2008-2017. Citations retrieved were included if the trial involved human subjects, included at least 2 treatment groups, and group assignment was by random allocation. Pilot and follow-up studies were excluded.
Included RCTs were evaluated on the basis of how control of potential sources of bias in trial methodology were reported. Three areas – control of bias at entry, control of bias in assessment of outcome, and control of bias after entry – were scored 1 or 0, based on whether method of randomization was explicitly reported, blinding was done, and all subjects were accounted for at the end of the study. Thus, the maximum quality score was 3 (good bias control) and the minimum 0 (poor bias control). Frequencies were calculated for each dimension of trial methodology and overall scores reported. Results were compared to those of RCTs published from 1988-1997 reported in a previous study.
Results: Ninety-six RCTs published from 2008-2017 met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Method of randomization was explicit in 68% of RCTs, 50% reported blinding, and 85% accounted for all subjects; 32% scored the maximum 3 points for good bias control. In comparison, RCTs published from 1988-1997 had frequencies of 47%, 40%, and 76% in the 3 areas examined, respectively; only 16% had maximum scores for good bias control.
Conclusions: Control of bias and overall quality scores have improved for RCTs published in prosthodontic journals.