A new classification of spin in systematic reviews and meta-analyses was developed and ranked according to the severity

Ref ID 396
First Author A. Yavchitz
Journal JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Year Of Publishing 2016
URL https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(16)00057-3/fulltext
Keywords • Spin
• General medical
• Inference
• Abstract / summary
Problem(s) • Spin or subjective interpretation of findings
Article Type Empirical
Article Subtype Survey/questionnaire of authors opinions/practices
First Author Country France
Aim To identify and classify spin (i.e., a description that overstates efficacy and/or understates harm) in systematic reviews and to rank spin in abstracts of systematic reviews according to their severity (i.e., the likelihood of distorting readers’ interpretation of the results).
Level of Investigation Descriptive
Summary of Findings 13 types of spin specific to the systematic review design were identified. Spin was classified into three categories: (1) misleading reporting, (2) misleading interpretation, and (3) inappropriate extrapolation. Spin ranked as the most severe by the 122 people who participated in the survey were (1) recommendations for clinical practice not supported by findings in the conclusion, (2) misleading title, and (3) selective reporting.
Number of systematic reviews included 1
Number of eligible systematic reviews assessed 1
Treatment impacted No
Treatment impacted description
Interpretation impacted Not Applicable
Interpretation impacted description