Abstract 12414: Assessing the Quality of Abstracts in Randomized Controlled Trials Published in High Impact Cardiovascular Journals

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2018-11, Vol.138 (Suppl_1 Suppl 1), p.A12414-A12414
• Main Authors: Khan, Muhammad S, Shaikh, Asim, Ochani, Rohan K, Fatima, Kaneez, Khan, Safi U, Mookadam, Farouk, Figueredo, Vincent M, Krasuski, Richard, Doukky, Rami
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539

BackgroundIn the busy world of cardiovascular medicine, abstracts may be the only part of a publication that clinicians have time to read. As such, it is critical for abstracts to accurately reflect paper content. The extended Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement for Abstracts was developed to ensure high abstract quality. However, it is unknown how often adherence to the CONSORT abstract checklist occurs among cardiovascular journals.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 3 major cardiovascular journals (Circulation, Journal of American College of Cardiology and European Heart Journal) from 2011 to 2017. Post-hoc, interim and economic analyses of RCTs were excluded. Two independent, trained investigators, who were blinded to the journal, extracted the data using a pre-specified data collection form. A third investigator was available to settle any discrepancies. The primary outcome was frequency of overall and sub-category adherence to the guidelines.Results478 abstracts were included in the analysis. The overall adherence to the CONSORT abstract checklist was 54%. About half of the abstracts (53%; 255/478) identified the article as randomized in the title. Nearly all the abstracts detailed the interventions for both study groups (100%) and reported trial registration (81%). The methodological quality was relatively low9% (45/478) described participant eligibility criteria with settings for data collection, 43% (204/478) reported details of blinding and less than 1% (4/478) reported allocation concealment (Figure).ConclusionNon-adherence, especially in the methodological domain, to CONSORT abstract guidelines is common among cardiovascular journals. Efforts by editors, authors and reviewers should be made to increase adherence and promote transparent and unbiased publication of study results.