Outcome reporting bias in Cochrane systematic reviews: a cross-sectional analysis

Ref ID 130
First Author K. Shah
Journal BMJ OPEN
Year Of Publishing 2020
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7076244/pdf/bmjopen-2019-032497.pdf
Keywords Cochrane
Protocols
Multiplicity
Pre-specification
General medical
Problem(s) Undocumented or unjustified deviations to the review protocol
Multiplicity of outcomes and lack of pre-specification for outcome reporting
Number of systematic reviews included 350
Summary of Findings Of the 350 included Cochrane reviews, 150 (43%) review and protocol pairings contained discrepancies in outcome reporting. When reviews were further scrutinised, 23% (35 of 150) of reviews with discrepancies in outcome reporting contained a high risk of outcome reporting bias, with changes being made after knowledge of results from individual trials.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? Not Applicable
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? Yes