Journal of clinical epidemiology
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To examine key methodological considerations for using a placebo intervention in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating invasive procedures, including surgery. ⋯ Most placebo-controlled trials in surgery evaluate minor surgical procedures and currently there is inconsistent reporting of key trial methods. There is a need for guidance to optimize the transparency of trial reporting in this area.
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The objective of the study was to assess trial-level factors associated with the contribution of individual participant data (IPD) to IPD meta-analyses, and to quantify the data availability bias, namely the difference between the effect estimates of trials contributing IPD and those not contributing IPD in the same systematic reviews (SRs). ⋯ There was no consistent evidence of a data availability bias in recent IPD meta-analyses of RCTs with dichotomous outcomes. Higher methodological qualities of trials were associated with IPD contribution.
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The objective of the study was to clarify how the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) concept of certainty of evidence applies to certainty ratings of test accuracy. ⋯ This GRADE concept paper provides a framework for assessing, presenting, and making decisions based on the certainty of evidence for test accuracy. More empirical research is needed to support future GRADE guidance on how to best operationalize the candidate approaches.
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Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is an increasingly popular method of recruiting participants from hard-to-reach populations and has traditionally been used to estimate the prevalence of HIV among marginalized people. The STROBE-RDS guidelines were published in 2015 to improve the reporting of these studies. We aim to determine the current applications of RDS and the quality of reporting of these studies. ⋯ Most authors are using RDS appropriately and aware of the need for statistical adjustments to RDS data. Nonetheless, the STROBE-RDS guidelines should be more widely disseminated to promote better reporting of key aspects of RDS studies.
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The aim of the study was to quantify the risk of major congenital malformations (MCM) associated with first-trimester exposure to antiemetics. ⋯ First-trimester doxylamine-pyridoxine and metoclopramide exposure was associated with a significantly increased risk of overall and specific MCM.