Reporting Guidlines

Inhalt:

Prof. Dr.  Willi Sauerbrei , IMBI Universitätsklinik Freiburg

Dr. Tim Häußler, Klinik für Allgemeine Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg

Seminar: Reporting guidelines as an important instrument for presenting results transparently 

Transparent reporting is crucial for understanding results of clinical research. Reporting  guidelines have been developed for (nearly) all types of studies, with the EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) network serving as an umbrella organization (https://www.equator-network.org/). 

Unfortunately, many reviews have clearly shown that the quality of study reporting remains poor. These problems seem to be less severe in randomized controlled trials than in observational studies. In observation studies, even basic information about the study population and important details of the statistical analyses are often not provided. 

The seminar will start with a brief overview of reporting guidelines for many types of studies. To illustrate specific issues, we will consider randomized controlled trials (CONSORT statement), prognostic marker studies (REMARK recommendations), and prediction model studies including those using artificial intelligence (TRIPOD + AI statement).

 A ‘REMARK profile’ has been proposed as a structured reporting format that emphasizes the documentation of all aspects of the analyses conducted. Sauerbrei et al. (2022) assessed the reporting of 15 studies published in 2015. Some of these studies will be discussed in more detail, including relevant issues of analysis strategies used. We will also develop REMARK profiles for several studies published in 2026. 

Sauerbrei, W., Haeussler, T., Balmford, J., & Huebner, M. (2022). Structured reporting to improve transparency of analyses in prognostic marker studies. BMC medicine, 20(1), 1-19.