Extended report
Reporting of outcomes in arthritis trials measured on ordinal and
interval scales is inadequate in relation to meta-analysis
P C Gøtzsche
The Nordic Cochrane
Centre, Rigshospitalet, Department 7112, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100
Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Correspondence to: Dr Gøtzsche p.c.gotzsche{at}cochrane.dk
Accepted for publication 12 September
2000
OBJECTIVES
To study
whether the reporting of clinical outcomes in arthritis trials measured
on ordinal and interval scales is adequate in relation to
meta-analysis.
METHODSSystematic
review of randomised trials of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in
patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Optimal reporting was defined as
data in the original ordered categories for global evaluation and pain,
and as mean and SD for number of tender joints and grip strength, and
if a visual analogue scale had been used to measure pain.
RESULTSA total of 144 trials were included. The median sample size was 60 patients. The
quality of the reporting increased over time for three of the four
variables. Global evaluation was optimally reported in 52 of the 127 trials (41%) in which it was recorded. Pain was optimally reported in
27 of 98 trials (28%), number of tender joints in 41 of 123 trials
(33%), and grip strength in 34 of 124 trials (27%). Even if rather
broad criteria are adopted, only about half of the data were reported
in a potentially useful way for a meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONSArthritis
trials have been reported inadequately in relation to meta-analysis. As
most trials are underpowered, meta-analysis is indispensable and the
deficit therefore needs urgent improvement. Investigators should
specify a priori what constitutes an important treatment effect and
report numbers of patients improved.
© 2001 by Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
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