Failure to address potential bias in non-randomised controlled clinical trials may cause lack of evidence on patient-reported outcomes: a method study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We conducted a workup of a previously published systematic review and aimed to analyse why most of the identified non-randomised controlled clinical trials with patient-reported outcomes did not match a set of basic quality criteria.

Setting

There were no limits on the level of care and the geographical location.

Participants

The review evaluated permanent interstitial low-dose rate brachytherapy in patients with localised prostate cancer and compared that intervention with alternative procedures such as external beam radiotherapy, radical prostatectomy and no primary therapy.

Primary outcome measure

Fulfilment of basic inclusion criteria according to a Participants, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes (PICO) framework and accomplishment of requirem

SUBMITTER: Peinemann F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4054649 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature