The journal of evidence-based dental practice
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J Evid Based Dent Pract · Jun 2010
Randomized trials published in the journal of dental research are cited more often compared with those in other top-tier non-specialty-specific dental journals.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are viewed as the gold standard for clinical research. Oftentimes the citation counts serve as an important measure for assessing the significance of an RCT to promote the dissemination of science. This study attempts to identify the factors associated with the number of times RCTs are cited within the first 24 months since publication. ⋯ Based on our initial analysis of 4 journals, publishing randomized trials in high-impact journals will likely provide better dissemination of research findings.
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J Evid Based Dent Pract · Jun 2010
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in dental clinical trials and product development: introduction to scientific and regulatory considerations.
Although typically measured with objective assessments, treatment efficacy and disease progression may also be examined using reports directly from the patient (patient-reported outcomes or PROs). PROs can enhance clinician and researcher understanding of an illness and its treatment in multiple ways, ranging from an assessment of core signs and symptoms to assessment of impairments and impacts across a variety of domains (eg, physical, social, occupational, emotional). Regulated drug and medical device development programs are increasingly using PROs as endpoints to support label claims. ⋯ The goals of this article were to introduce the concept of PROs and to provide an introduction to PRO scientific and regulatory principles. These principles can be used as a blueprint for using PROs in clinical research and for evaluating trials that have implemented PROs. When used appropriately, PROs may be useful in understanding the patient's perspective on illness and interventions and this perspective may be critical in fully evaluating the efficacy of dental treatments.