Underrepresentation of women in randomized controlled trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although regulatory changes towards correcting the underrepresentation of women in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) occurred (National Institutes of Health 1994), concerns exist about whether an improvement is taking place. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the inclusion rates of women in recent RCTs and to explore the potential barriers for the enrollment of women.

Methods

RCTs published in 2017 examining any type of intervention in adults were searched in PubMed and Cochrane Library. The following predefined medical fields were included: cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, endocrine system diseases, respiratory tract diseases, bacterial and fungal infections, viral diseases, digestive system diseases, and immune system diseases.

SUBMITTER: Daitch V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9768985 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature