Deepa V Cherla1,2, Cristina P Viso1, Oscar A Olavarria1, Karla Bernardi3,4, Julie L Holihan1,2, Krislynn M Mueck1,2, Juan Flores-Gonzalez1, Mike K Liang1,2, Sasha D Adams1. 1. Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 5656 Kelley St, Houston, TX, 77026, USA. 2. Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-Based Practice (C-STEP), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. 3. Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 5656 Kelley St, Houston, TX, 77026, USA. karla.bernardi@uth.tmc.edu. 4. Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-Based Practice (C-STEP), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. karla.bernardi@uth.tmc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Substantial discrepancies exist between industry-reported and self-reported conflicts of interest (COI). Although authors with relevant, self-reported financial COI are more likely to write studies favorable to industry sponsors, it is unknown whether undisclosed COI have the same effect. We hypothesized that surgeons who fail to disclose COI are more likely to publish findings that are favorable to industry than surgeons with no COI. METHODS: PubMed was searched for articles in multiple surgical specialties. Financial COI reported by surgeons and industry were compared. COI were considered to be relevant if they were associated with the product(s) mentioned by an article. Primary outcome was favorability, which was defined as an impression favorable to the product(s) discussed by an article and was determined by 3 independent, blinded clinicians for each article. Primary analysis compared incomplete self-disclosure to no COI. Ordered logistic multivariable regression modeling was used to assess factors associated with favorability. RESULTS: Overall, 337 articles were reviewed. There was a high rate of discordance in the reporting of COI (70.3%). When surgeons failed to disclose COI, their conclusions were significantly more likely to favor industry than surgeons without COI (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, any COI (regardless of relevance, disclosure, or monetary amount) were significantly associated with favorability. CONCLUSIONS: Any financial COI (disclosed or undisclosed, relevant or not relevant) significantly influence whether studies report findings favorable to industry. More attention must be paid to improving research design, maximizing transparency in medical research, and insisting that surgeons disclose all COI, regardless of perceived relevance.
BACKGROUND: Substantial discrepancies exist between industry-reported and self-reported conflicts of interest (COI). Although authors with relevant, self-reported financial COI are more likely to write studies favorable to industry sponsors, it is unknown whether undisclosed COI have the same effect. We hypothesized that surgeons who fail to disclose COI are more likely to publish findings that are favorable to industry than surgeons with no COI. METHODS: PubMed was searched for articles in multiple surgical specialties. Financial COI reported by surgeons and industry were compared. COI were considered to be relevant if they were associated with the product(s) mentioned by an article. Primary outcome was favorability, which was defined as an impression favorable to the product(s) discussed by an article and was determined by 3 independent, blinded clinicians for each article. Primary analysis compared incomplete self-disclosure to no COI. Ordered logistic multivariable regression modeling was used to assess factors associated with favorability. RESULTS: Overall, 337 articles were reviewed. There was a high rate of discordance in the reporting of COI (70.3%). When surgeons failed to disclose COI, their conclusions were significantly more likely to favor industry than surgeons without COI (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, any COI (regardless of relevance, disclosure, or monetary amount) were significantly associated with favorability. CONCLUSIONS: Any financial COI (disclosed or undisclosed, relevant or not relevant) significantly influence whether studies report findings favorable to industry. More attention must be paid to improving research design, maximizing transparency in medical research, and insisting that surgeons disclose all COI, regardless of perceived relevance.
Authors: Joseph Lopez; Sandra Lopez; Jessica Means; Raja Mohan; Ashwin Soni; Jacqueline Milton; Anthony P Tufaro; James W May; Amir Dorafshar Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 4.730
Authors: Charles P Hannon; Peter N Chalmers; Matthew F Carpiniello; Gregory L Cvetanovich; Brian J Cole; Bernard R Bach Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2016-10-19 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Oscar A Olavarria; Julie L Holihan; Deepa Cherla; Cristina A Perez; Lillian S Kao; Tien C Ko; Mike K Liang Journal: J Am Coll Surg Date: 2017-02-04 Impact factor: 6.113
Authors: Jennifer C Thompson; Katherine A Volpe; Lindsay K Bridgewater; Fares Qeadan; Gena C Dunivan; Yuko M Komesu; Sara B Cichowski; Peter C Jeppson; Rebecca G Rogers Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2016-06-16 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Maram B Hakoum; Lama Bou-Karroum; Mounir Al-Gibbawi; Assem M Khamis; Abdul Sattar Raslan; Sanaa Badour; Arnav Agarwal; Fadel Alturki; Gordon Guyatt; Fadi El-Jardali; Elie A Akl Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-07-19 Impact factor: 2.692