Observational Analysis of Changing Trends in Level of Evidence of Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting Podium Presentations in the New Millennium (2001–2013)

Abstract

Study DesignObservational quantitative evaluation of all Scoliosis Research Society annual meeting (SRS-AM) podium presentations over a 6-year period in the new millennium for changing trends in Level of Evidence (LoE). ObjectivesTo report the LoE of SRS-AM podium presentations over a 13-year period in the new millennium and to compare the trends in LoE over a 3-year period between the two decades, that is, 2001–2003 versus 2011–2013. Summary of Background DataLoE is a rating system introduced by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in 2003 to reflect the quality of clinical studies. No study has looked into any of AAOS-affiliated spinal specialist societies' LoE, hence this study. MethodsThe SRS-AM proceedings books from two 3-year periods, 2001–2003 and 2011–2013, were retrieved. Two orthopedic surgeons independently graded each abstract on two occasions, 1 month apart, assigning them LoE from I to V, in accordance with the stringent guidelines published by AAOS. They also categorized all studies into types (ie, therapeutic, prognostic, diagnostic, economic or decision-modeling analysis, or LoE not applicable). Any disagreement between the two assessors over the LoE or the nature of study was discussed, and agreed upon by consensus. Thus, analyzed abstracts of the two groups were subsequently compared and subjected to statistical tests to determine significance. Results637 free-papers from six annual meeting proceedings (264 in Group I and 373 in Group II) were analyzed in total. LoE I and II studies have more than doubled (p<.0001), and LoE IV studies have fallen by half in 2011–2013 as compared to 2001–2003. ConclusionThe SRS-AM podium presentation has shown an increase in LoE I and II studies in the new millennium. SRS is the first AAOS-affiliated subspecialty society to have undertaken an in-depth analysis of its AM podium presentations, setting a standard for other societies to emulate. Level of EvidenceNot applicable.