Language of publication restrictions in systematic reviews gave different results depending on whether the intervention was conventional or complementary.

Objective: To assess whether language of publication restrictions impact the estimates of an intervention's effectiveness, whether such impact is similar for conventional medicine and complementary medicine interventions, and whether the results are influenced by publication bias and statistical heterogeneity.

Study Design And Setting: We set out to examine the extent to which including reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in languages other than English (LOE) influences the results of systematic reviews, using a broad dataset of 42 language-inclusive systematic reviews, involving 662 RCTs, including both conventional medicine (CM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions.

Results: For CM interventions, language-restricted systematic reviews, compared with language-inclusive ones, did not introduce biased results, in terms of estimates of intervention effectiveness (random effects ration of odds rations ROR=1.

Metformin monotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Metformin is an anti-hyperglycaemic agent used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes may present long-term complications: micro- (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular (stroke, myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease). Two meta-analyses have been published before, although only secondary outcomes were assessed.

Systematic reviews involving complementary and alternative medicine interventions had higher quality of reporting than conventional medicine reviews.

Objective: To compare the quality of systematic reviews reported in English and in languages other than English, and to determine whether there are differences between conventional medicine (CM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) reports.

Study Design And Setting: We used the Oxman and Guyatt (OG) scale to assess the quality of reporting in 130 systematic reviews: 50 were language-restricted, 32 were language-inclusive but only English-language (EL) trials contained (inclusive-EL), and 48 were language-inclusive and included trials published in languages other than English (inclusive-LOE). Of the 130 reviews, 105 addressed CM interventions and 25 addressed CAM interventions.

For randomized controlled trials, the quality of reports of complementary and alternative medicine was as good as reports of conventional medicine.

Objective: To compare the quality of reporting of reports randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English and in languages other than English (LOE), and to determine whether there were differences between conventional medicine (CM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) reports.

Study Design And Setting: We examined more than 600 RCTs associated with 125 systematic reviews. We extracted characteristics of each RCT using a standardized data collection form.

Fertility following spinal cord injury: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: To review systematically fertility of persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and their partners.

Methods: Reports from six databases (1966-2003), selected annual proceedings (1997-2002) and manufacturer's information were screened against eligibility criteria.

The prevalence of celiac disease in average-risk and at-risk Western European populations: a systematic review.

Until recently, celiac disease (CD) was felt to be a rare disease in the United States. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of CD in general Western populations and in populations at high risk for CD. Standard systematic review methodology was used.

The diagnostic accuracy of serologic tests for celiac disease: a systematic review.

Clinicians are increasingly utilizing noninvasive serologic tests for the diagnosis and screening of celiac disease (CD). The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the diagnostic performance of serologic tests for the diagnosis and screening of CD. Standard systematic review methodology was used.

Consequences of testing for celiac disease.

Population screening studies have identified that up to two thirds of celiac disease (CD) cases are asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the expected consequences of testing for CD in the following populations: (1) patients with symptoms suggestive of CD, (2) asymptomatic at-risk populations, and (3) general population. Standard systematic review methodology was used.

Complementary and alternative medicine in Canadian children: A call for action.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, including paediatric use, is common. The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation organized a priority-setting forum regarding paediatrics and the use of CAM/natural health products in November 2001. Four priority areas were identified: the creation of a national paediatric research network and/or centre of excellence in CAM; support for experiential learning, education, and training; completion of a needs/use assessment; and facilitation of knowledge transfer.

A randomized trial comparing alternative approaches to prenatal diagnosis counseling in advanced maternal age patients.

Prenatal diagnosis (PND) is offered routinely as part of pregnancy care to a large number of women at increased risk of fetal anomalies. Despite an extraordinary growth in the use of PND and significant resource allocation, few studies have examined outcomes of PND counseling, and virtually no research has evaluated the relative efficacy of various approaches to genetic counseling. This study was a randomized trial that compared which counseling methods - individual, group, and use of a decision aid - are effective in PND counseling for women of advanced maternal age (>/=35 years) and their partners.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled noninferiority trial of amoxicillin for clinically diagnosed acute otitis media in children 6 months to 5 years of age.

Objectives: Debate continues with respect to a "watch and wait" approach versus immediate antibiotic treatment for the initial treatment of acute otitis media. In this double-blind noninferiority trial, we compared clinical improvement rates at 14 days for children (6 months to 5 years of age) with acute otitis media who were randomly assigned to receive amoxicillin or placebo.

Methods: We enrolled healthy children who presented to clinics or the emergency department with a new episode of acute otitis media during the fall and winter months in Ottawa (from December 1999 to the end of March 2002).

Better reporting of harms in randomized trials: an extension of the CONSORT statement.

In response to overwhelming evidence and the consequences of poor-quality reporting of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs), many medical journals and editorial groups have now endorsed the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement, a 22-item checklist and flow diagram. Because CONSORT primarily aimed at improving the quality of reporting of efficacy, only 1 checklist item specifically addressed the reporting of safety. Considerable evidence suggests that reporting of harms-related data from RCTs also needs improvement.

Determining the reporting quality of RCTs in clinical pharmacology.

Background: The Consolidated Standards for Reporting Trials (CONSORT) are recommendations for improving the quality of reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Objective: To determine the extent to which clinical pharmacology journals implement specific CONSORT recommendations.

Design And Setting: Analysis of RCTs published between May 2002 and May 2003 in four clinical pharmacology journals.

Assisted reproductive technology and the incidence of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the available literature regarding the relationship between assisted reproductive technology and ovarian cancer.

Data Sources: Computerized search of 6 databases from 1966 (or closest) to present: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Cancerlit, CINHAL, Current Contents, PubMed in process (formerly called PreMEDLINE), and MEDLINE. We collected references from the bibliographies of reviews, original research articles, content experts, and conference proceedings to find published and unpublished literature.

Towards complete and accurate reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy: the STARD initiative.

Objective: Our aim was to improve the accuracy and completeness of reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy in order to allow readers to assess the potential for bias in a study and to evaluate the generalizability of its results.

Methods: The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) steering committee searched the literature to identify publications on the appropriate conduct and reporting of diagnostic studies and extracted potential items into an extensive list. Researchers, editors and members of professional organizations shortened this list during a 2-day consensus meeting with the goal of developing a checklist and a generic flow diagram for studies of diagnostic accuracy.

The inclusion of reports of randomised trials published in languages other than English in systematic reviews.

Objective: To assemble a large dataset of language restricted and language inclusive systematic reviews, including both conventional medicinal (CM) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions. To then assess the quality of these reports by considering and comparing different types of systematic reviews and their associated RCTs; CM and CAM interventions; the effect of language restrictions compared with language inclusions, and whether these results are influenced by other issues, including statistical heterogeneity and publication bias, in the systematic review process.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Centralised Information Service for Complementary Medicine.