Background
Assessment of the reported methodology for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the major gastrointestinal and surgical
endoscopy journals has never been reported.
Methods
Generation of the allocation sequence, allocation concealment, double blinding, sample size calculation, number of patients,
and funding source included in methodologic quality were retrieved from each trial, and all the relevant trials were identified
by a search of all clinical trials published in 2008 in four major gastrointestinal and surgical endoscopy journals.
Results
A total of 64 trials were included in the final analysis, which found that 50% (32/64) of all trials reported adequate generation
of the allocation sequence, 58% (37/64) reported adequate allocation concealment, 47% (30/64) reported adequate blinding,
47% (30/64) reported adequate sample size calculation, and 67% (43/64) failed to disclose the funding source.
Conclusions
The study showed that the quality of the reported methodology in the major gastrointestinal and surgical endoscopy journals
needs great improvement.
Keywords Gastrointestinal and surgical endoscopy journals - Internal validity - Reported methodology - Randomized controlled trials
Dr. Yu Bai and Yong-Fa Wu are co-first authors.