Randomised Clinical Trials in Prosthodontics: Application of the CONSORT Statement

Method: All RCTs published in International Journal of Prosthodontics, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, Journal of Prosthodontics and Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry from 1996 to 2013 were retrieved using a Medline electronic search with supplementary hand searching. Quality of reporting was evaluated with a 17-item, modified CONSORT for abstracts statement checklist. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics followed by univariate and multivariate examinations of statistical associations (P= 0.05)

Result: A total of 423 articles published in 4 peer-reviewed international journals were screened and 241 RCT were included in this study. Most were published in either the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, (38,7 %) or the International Journal of Prosthodontics, (37,3%). Reporting of interventions, objectives and conclusions within abstracts were adequate. Inadequately reported items included: title, participants, outcomes, random number generation, numbers randomized and effect size estimate. Randomization restrictions, allocation concealment, blinding, numbers analyzed, confidence intervals, intention-to-treat analysis, harms, registration and funding were rarely described.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the reporting quality of randomised clinical trials abstracts in prosthodontics journals requires further improvement. Optimal reporting of RCT abstracts should be encouraged, preferably by endorsing the CONSORT for abstracts guidelines.