Following 411 Cochrane protocols to completion: a retrospective cohort study

Ref ID 540
First Author A. C. Tricco
Journal PLOS ONE
Year Of Publishing 2008
URL https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18997866/
Keywords Cochrane
Protocols
General medical
Currency
Problem(s) Unpublished or "zombie" reviews (the file-drawer effect)
Not updated regularly
Number of systematic reviews included 372
Summary of Findings 19.1% of protocols were not published as full Cochrane reviews by 2008. 80.9% were published in full. Reasons for non-completion included: no reason provided (14.1%), protocol withdrawn due to out-datedness (12.7%), Cochrane review authors lacked time or interest (9.9%), and operational issues (e.g., the lead author changed jobs). Of those completed, only 33.2% had been subsequently updated.
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