Assessment of the Quality of Randomized Clinical Trials Published by Iranian Researchers in Persian Internal Journals in 2014

Abstract

Introduction: A randomized clinical trial is known as the best and most effective way to assess the effects of interventions if it is properly planned and implemented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of clinical trials published in Persian internal journals by Iranian researchers. Method: In this cross-sectional study, all the clinical trials published by Iranian researchers in the Iranian Journals in 2014, were evaluated according to entry criteria and finally 587 included articles were reviewed and their quality was evaluated by using Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. Results: The results revealed that the mean±SD adherence to the CONSORT checklist’s item in our included articles was 59.61±24.99. The lowest adherence to the items was seen for random allocation (76.1%), description of the sampling method (70.1%) and presenting RCT code registration (60.4%), respectively. The highest adherence was observed for title suitability (96%), appropriate presentation time and place of study (84.2%), a suitable expression of study participants (82.8%) and time duration of the study (82.3%). Conclusion: The adherence to the various items of CONSORT checklist in Iranian Persian language journals was not in satisfactory status. In this regard, the CONSORT checklist needs to be carefully followed for conducting and reporting RCTs by Iranian researchers.