Royes Joseph1, Julius Sim1, Reuben Ogollah1, Martyn Lewis2. 1. Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK. 2. Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Research Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK. Electronic address: a.m.lewis@keele.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: In randomized trials, the primary analysis should be consistent with the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle and should address missing data appropriately to draw valid inferences. This review focuses on current practices relating to the ITT principle and methods to handle missing data in the major musculoskeletal journals. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A systematic review of randomized trials published in 2010 and 2011 in five musculoskeletal journals was performed. RESULTS: We reviewed 91 trials: 38% performed a full ITT analysis (analyzing outcome data for all randomized participants) and 31% performed a partial ITT analysis (excluding participants with no follow-up data). The overall median dropout was 12%; 60% of trials had more than 10% dropouts, and 32% of trials had more than 20% dropouts. Among those that performed an ITT analysis, the majority adopted a form of single imputation; last observation carried forward was the designated approach in most cases. Mixed models for repeated measures and/or multiple imputations were limited to eight trials. CONCLUSION: It appears that many trials reporting missing data are inappropriately analyzed and may therefore be prone to biased estimates and invalid inferences.
OBJECTIVES: In randomized trials, the primary analysis should be consistent with the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle and should address missing data appropriately to draw valid inferences. This review focuses on current practices relating to the ITT principle and methods to handle missing data in the major musculoskeletal journals. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A systematic review of randomized trials published in 2010 and 2011 in five musculoskeletal journals was performed. RESULTS: We reviewed 91 trials: 38% performed a full ITT analysis (analyzing outcome data for all randomized participants) and 31% performed a partial ITT analysis (excluding participants with no follow-up data). The overall median dropout was 12%; 60% of trials had more than 10% dropouts, and 32% of trials had more than 20% dropouts. Among those that performed an ITT analysis, the majority adopted a form of single imputation; last observation carried forward was the designated approach in most cases. Mixed models for repeated measures and/or multiple imputations were limited to eight trials. CONCLUSION: It appears that many trials reporting missing data are inappropriately analyzed and may therefore be prone to biased estimates and invalid inferences.
Authors: Francisco de Asís-Fernández; Tamara Del Corral; Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2020-12-20 Impact factor: 0.887
Authors: Helmut Schröder; Gabriela Cárdenas-Fuentes; Miguel Angel Martínez-González; Dolores Corella; Jesús Vioque; Dora Romaguera; J Alfredo Martínez; Francisco J Tinahones; José López Miranda; Ramon Estruch; Aurora Bueno-Cavanillas; Fernando Arós; Ascensión Marcos; Josep A Tur; Julia Warnberg; Lluis Serra-Majem; Vicente Martín; Clotilde Vázquez; José Lapetra; Xavier Pintó; Josep Vidal; Lidia Daimiel; José Juan Gaforio; Pilar Matía-Martín; Emilio Ros; Olga Castañer; Camille Lassale; Miguel Ruiz-Canela; Eva M Asensio; Josep Basora; Laura Torres-Collado; Antonio Garcia-Rios; Itziar Abete; Estefania Toledo; Pilar Buil-Cosiales; Mònica Bullo; Albert Goday; Montserrat Fitó; Jordi Salas-Salvadó Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2018-11-13 Impact factor: 6.457