Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2482

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Clifford TJ, Barrowman NJ, Moher D.
Funding source, trial outcome and reporting quality: are they related? Results of a pilot study
BMC Health Serv Res 2002 September 4; 2:(1):18
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/2/18

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing concern regarding the potential effects of the commercialization of research. METHODS: In order to examine the relationships between funding source, trial outcome and reporting quality, recent issues of five peer-reviewed, high impact factor, general medical journals were hand-searched to identify a sample of 100 randomized controlled trials (20 trials/journal). Relevant data, including funding source (industry/not-for-profit/mixed/not reported) and statistical significance of primary outcome (favouring new treatment/favouring conventional treatment/neutral/unclear), were abstracted. Quality scores were assigned using the Jadad scale and the adequacy of allocation concealment. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of trials received some industry funding. Trial outcome was not associated with funding source (p=.461). There was a preponderance of favourable statistical conclusions among published trials with 67% reporting results that favored a new treatment whereas 6% favoured the conventional treatment. Quality scores were not associated with funding source or trial outcome. CONCLUSIONS: It is not known whether the absence of significant associations between funding source, trial outcome and reporting quality reflects a true absence of an association or is an artefact of inadequate statistical power, reliance on voluntary disclosure of funding information, a focus on trials recently published in the top medical journals, or some combination thereof. Continued and expanded monitoring of potential conflicts is recommended, particularly in light of new guidelines for disclosure that have been endorsed by the ICMJE.

Keywords:
*analytic survey Canada relationship between researchers, academic institutions and industry clinical trials drug company sponsored research randomized controlled trials, evaluation of conflict-of-interest declaration of interests ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: ETHICS OF TRIALS INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: OUTCOME OF CLINICAL TRIALS INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: RESEARCH PROMOTION DISGUISED: CLINICAL TRIALS SPONSORSHIP: RESEARCH