| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 2 | Page : 93-102 |
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Reporting of randomized controlled trials: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis of quality and quantity of publications in palliative care journals
Senthil P Kumar1, Vaishali Sisodia2
1 Department of Physiotherapy, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, India
2 Department of Physiotherapy, Srinivas College of Physiotherapy, Pandeshwar, Mangalore, India
Correspondence Address:
Senthil P Kumar
Department of Physiotherapy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore - 575 001
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-0521.117913
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Background: This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of Randomized Controlled trials (RCTs) published in palliative care journals. Settings and Design: Systematic review of palliative care journals. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE database was searched for journals with name 'palliative' in their title, and articles published from January 2007 - December 2011 were then searched in individual journals with search limits activated for 'randomized controlled trials.' The reporting rates of all journals were compared. The selected articles were categorized into practice, education, research, and administration (PERA). The articles were also grouped under participants, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes (PICO) format for analysis. Quality scoring of RCTs was done using Jadad scale. Statistical Analysis: Quality scores were compared between journals and article categories (PERA, PICO) using one-way ANOVA with Bonferonni test, Chi-square test were done at 95% confidence interval using SPSS for Windows version 16.0. Results: The overall reporting rate of RCTs in palliative care journals was 1.04%, and the overall RCTs' quality score was 2.8.99 out of a total score of 5 on Jadad scale. PSC had the highest reporting rate of 3.27% (8/244) followed by JPC at 1.53% (3/196) and PM at 1.353% (8/591). The RCTs in IJPN had the highest quality score at 3, followed by AJHPC (3 ± 1) and JPPCP (3 ± 2.82). Significant association was found between cancer patients as study population and practice as RCT category. Comparison between PERA and PICO categories for quality of RCTs was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The 12 palliative care journals analyzed in this study published few RCTs at a five-year reporting rate of 1.04%, with Palliat Support Care having the highest reporting rate. Overall quality of the RCTs was moderate-low category. |
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