Brief Report: Inadequate Description and Discussion of Enrolled Patient Characteristics and Potential Inter–Study Site Differences in Reports of Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Survey in Six Rheumatology Journals

Objective Detailed information on patient recruitment and study settings is an important component of reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We had the impression that many RCTs published in rheumatology journals lacked this information. This study was undertaken to systemically survey this matter in 6 leading journals. Methods A hand search was conducted for RCTs published in 2011 and 2012 in Arthritis & Rheumatism, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Rheumatology (Oxford), Arthritis Care & Research, The Journal of Rheumatology, and Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. Using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines, 2 observers evaluated the articles for the inclusion of patient eligibility criteria, including method of recruitment; study health care settings; geographic location; and, among multicenter studies, a discussion of possible effects of intercenter differences on outcomes. Results Among 118 articles, an informative account of the method of recruitment was available in 36 (30.5%). Information about the study health care setting was found in 56 (47.5%). Patient socioeconomic profile was available in 11 (9.3%), patient education level in 10 (8.4%), and patient race in 48 (40.7%). Among 76 multicenter studies, the potential effects of possible intercenter differences on outcome were discussed in 13 (17.1%). There were no important differences between the 3 journals that emphasized the use of CONSORT in their author guidelines and the remaining 3 journals. Conclusion Adequate information on patient recruitment, the trial setting, and a discussion of possible multicenter design effects on outcomes are lacking in the majority of RCT reports in rheumatology. This affects the validity of these reports and calls for closer attention of authors, journals, and reviewers.