Mullner M, Matthews H, Altman DG "Reporting on statistical methods to adjust for confounding: A cross-sectional survey" ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE 136 (2): 122-126 JAN 15 2002

[Eugene Garfield]

Marcus Mullner : marcus.muellner at univie.ac.at


TITLE Reporting on statistical methods to adjust for confounding: A cross-
sectional survey
AUTHOR Mullner M, Matthews H, Altman DG
JOURNAL ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE  136 (2): 122-126 JAN 15 2002

 Document type: Article
 Language: English
 Cited References: 19
 Times Cited: 0


Abstract:
Background: The use of complex statistical models to adjust for confounding
is common in medical research.

Objective: To determine the frequency and adequacy of adjustment for
confounding in medical articles.

Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: 34 scientific medical journals
with a high impact factor.

Measurements: Frequency of reporting on methods used to adjust for
confounding in 537 original research articles published in January 1998.

Results: Of the 537 articles, 169 specified that adjustment for confounding
was used. In 1 paper in 10, it was unclear which statistical method was
used or for which variables adjustment was made. In 45% of papers, it was
not clear how multicategory or continuous variables were treated in the
analysis. inadequate reporting was less frequent if an author was
affiliated with a department of statistics, epidemiology, or public health
and if articles were published in journals with a high impact
factor.

Conclusions: Details of methods used to adjust for confounding are
frequently not reported in original research articles.

KeyWords Plus:
LOGISTIC-REGRESSION MODELS, JOURNALS, TRIAL

Addresses:
Mullner M, Univ Vienna, Allgemeines Krankenhaus Wien, Klin Notfallmed,
Waehringer Guertel 18-20 6D, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
BMJ, London, England
ICRF Med Stat Grp, Ctr State Med, Inst Hlth Sci, Oxford OX3 7LF, England

Publisher:
AMER COLL PHYSICIANS, PHILADELPHIA

IDS Number:
512PZ

ISSN:
0003-4819

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