Abstract
Objectives
To identify and describe controlled clinical trials (CCTs) published in Spanish Gynaecology
and Obstetrics journals. In addition, to assess the quality of the CCTs on Assisted
Reproduction Techniques (ART) identified in this project.
Study design
In order to identify eligible CCTs, all Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics journals
were handsearched. Handsearching was conducted following the guidelines provided by
the Cochrane Collaboration, which state that each journal article must be carefully
reviewed, including original articles and other types of studies, letters to the editor,
abstracts, and conference presentations. The results of the handsearching process
were compared with an electronic search conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed). A descriptive
analysis of the main characteristics of the identified CCTs was performed, as well
as a methodological assessment of CCTs on ART.
Results
Sixteen Gynaecology and Obstetrics journals were identified, four of which have been
indexed in MEDLINE at some point, although not currently. The journal with the most
CCTs was “Progresos de Obstetricia y Ginecología”. A total of 235 CCTs were published
in these journals, of which 29 were on ART. Most CCTs (216, 91.9%) were carried out
in a hospital setting; 201 (89.4%) were unicentric. Obstetrics was the most studied
subspecialty (46.4%). Among CCTs on ART, the risk of bias was predominantly high.
Conclusions
The number of CCTs published in Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics journals is limited.
CCTs on ART present deficiencies in the report of results and low methodological quality.
It is advised that authors and journals adhere to the CONSORT statement and to the
Cochrane Collaboration recommendations to reduce risk of bias when designing and disseminating
research projects.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 30, 2016
Accepted:
April 23,
2016
Received in revised form:
March 31,
2016
Received:
September 13,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
