False Alarms, Pseudoepidemics, and Reality: A Case Study with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Practice Bulletins.

Objectives: The objectives of this review are to (1) ascertain the frequency with which odd ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR) are in the zone of potential bias or interest in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) practice bulletins (PB); (2) the likelihood that false alarms have been linked to recommendations; and (3) if there are differences in obstetric versus gynecological PB, vis-à-vis OR and RR in the zone of bias or interest.

Data Sources: We reviewed all ACOG PBs published between May 1999 and March 2014.

Methods: Documents were searched for statements with mention of OR and RR.