How to appraise clinical trials:Commissioned clinical review

Loke, Y. K. and Mattishent, K. (2016) How to appraise clinical trials:Commissioned clinical review. Elsevier.

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Treatment decisions should be based on reliable data. However, randomized controlled trials are susceptible to bias and other important limitations. Critical appraisal of such studies must consider both the methodological rigour of the study and the applicability of the results to routine clinical practice. Readers should work systematically through trial reports. They should establish the aims of the study and consider whether the methods used are able to provide an unbiased answer. Particular attention should be directed towards patient allocation, ensuring that the study groups are well balanced. There should be adequate follow-up and sufficient blinding of the investigator and participants so that preconceived notions do not influence recording of outcomes. The Results section should be reviewed in the light of the trial's objectives to confirm that the researchers have reported all data (positive or negative) that are relevant to the study question. Critical appraisers should also consider how closely the conditions of the trial (e.g. selection of patients, follow-up arrangements) reflect real-world medicine, allowing the results to be generalizable to routine clinical practice.

Item Type: Book
Additional Information: Updated version of commissioned review, originally peer-reviewed in 2008.
Uncontrolled Keywords: clinical trials,critical appraisal,evidence-based medicine,intention-to-treat,publication bias,randomization,reporting bias
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 28 Jun 2016 11:00
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2023 09:59
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/59608
DOI: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2016.04.006

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item