Gordon H Sun1, Jeffrey J Houlton, Mark P MacEachern, Carol R Bradford, Rodney A Hayward. 1. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify associations between study sponsorship and the methodological quality and published outcomes of head and neck cancer randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for qualified RCTs, evaluating journal impact factor (IF), Jadad score (measure of study quality), and results favoring or not favoring experimental therapy. RESULTS: Of 118 RCTs, the most common sponsor was government (38; 32%), followed by nonprofit organizations (30; 25%) and industry (26; 22%). Industry-supported RCTs were associated with publication in journals with higher IF compared with RCTs without industry support (p = .013). Government-supported RCTs were associated with higher mean Jadad score (p = .026) and results favoring experimental therapy (p = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Government-supported, but not industry-supported, RCTs were significantly associated with positive study results. These findings may be confounded by broadly applied definitions of sponsorship.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify associations between study sponsorship and the methodological quality and published outcomes of head and neck cancer randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for qualified RCTs, evaluating journal impact factor (IF), Jadad score (measure of study quality), and results favoring or not favoring experimental therapy. RESULTS: Of 118 RCTs, the most common sponsor was government (38; 32%), followed by nonprofit organizations (30; 25%) and industry (26; 22%). Industry-supported RCTs were associated with publication in journals with higher IF compared with RCTs without industry support (p = .013). Government-supported RCTs were associated with higher mean Jadad score (p = .026) and results favoring experimental therapy (p = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Government-supported, but not industry-supported, RCTs were significantly associated with positive study results. These findings may be confounded by broadly applied definitions of sponsorship.
Authors: Gordon H Sun; Jeffrey J Houlton; Nicholas M Moloci; Mark P MacEachern; Carol R Bradford; Mark E Prince; Reshma Jagsi Journal: Oncologist Date: 2013-05-01
Authors: Martine Hendriksma; Michiel H M A Joosten; Jeroen P M Peters; Wilko Grolman; Inge Stegeman Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-01-06 Impact factor: 3.240