Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2483

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

Chaudhry S, Schroter S, Smith R, Morris J.
Does declaration of competing interests affect readers' perceptions? A randomised trial.
BMJ 2002 December 14; 325:1391-1392
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325/7377/1391

Abstract:

300 subjects were randomly selected from the British Medical Association’s membership database. Each participant was sent a paper on the impact of pain from herpes zoster on patients’ daily functioning Original authors’ names were changed. Group 1 readers were sent papers where the authors declared interest as employees of a fictitious company and holding potential stock options. Group 2 papers had the authors declare that there was no competing interest. Participants were asked to rate the paper on a 1-5 Likert scale for interest, importance, relevance, validity, and believability. 86 per group were estimated as needed to achieve power to detect difference, and a two sample t-test with 5% significance level was used assuming a common standard deviation of 1.0. 170/298 (59%) questionnaires were returned with 86 in group 1 and 84 in group 2. Non-responders were significantly younger in both groups but there was no sex difference. Results showed significantly lower ratings on all qualities for group 1. It is concluded declaration of competing interests may have a significant effect on readers’ perceptions of the scientific credibility of published medical research. Weaknesses of the study are pointed out.

Keywords:
*cross-sectional study United Kingdom Attitude of Health Personnel Conflict of Interest* Humans Perception Publishing* Questionnaires