Publication ethics

The editor of any medical journal has to be aware of the ethical and legal framework within which medical research is conducted. When research and publications relate to children, then particularly high standards are required in the design, conduct, and reporting of research in order to protect the rights of children and their families. Authors have a number of duties and responsibilities that are mirrored by those of editors and publishers. Of particular importance are the principles of transparency and integrity. Authors should be explicit about who carried out the work and who funded the study. They should declare whether the work has been published before and is not being considered for publication elsewhere. The authors must protect the rights of research participants including their anonymity. Editors and publishers have a duty to ensure high editorial standards and efficient and effective peer review systems. They should follow ethical and responsible publication practices and should safeguard the intellectual property of the authors. This review discusses in detail the duties and responsibilities of authors, editors, and publishers in modern medical publishing.     

Factors associated with sex work involvement among transgender women in Jamaica: a cross‐sectional study

Introduction : Transgender women are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Transgender women involved in sex work may experience exacerbated violence, social exclusion, and HIV vulnerabilities, in comparison with non‐sex work‐involved transgender women. Scant research has investigated sex work among transgender women in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, where transgender women report pervasive violence. The study objective was to examine factors associated with sex work involvement among transgender women in Jamaica. Methods : In 2015, we implemented a cross‐sectional survey using modified peer‐driven recruitment with transgender women in Kingston and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in collaboration with a local community‐based AIDS service organization. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with paid sex and transactional sex. Exchanging oral, anal or vaginal sex for money only was categorized as paid sex. Exchanging sex for survival needs (food, accommodation, transportation), drugs or alcohol, or for money along with survival needs and/or drugs/alcohol, was categorized as transactional sex. Results : Among 137 transgender women (mean age: 24.0 [SD: 4.5]), two‐thirds reported living in the Kingston area. Overall, 25.2% reported being HIV‐positive. Approximately half (n = 71; 51.82%) reported any sex work involvement, this included sex in exchange for: money (n = 64; 47.06%); survival needs (n = 27; 19.85%); and drugs/alcohol (n = 6; 4.41%). In multivariable analyses, paid sex and transactional sex were both associated with: intrapersonal (depression), interpersonal (lower social support, forced sex, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, multiple partners/polyamory), and structural (transgender stigma, unemployment) factors. Participants reporting transactional sex also reported increased odds of incarceration perceived to be due to transgender identity, forced sex, homelessness, and lower resilience, in comparison with participants reporting no sex work involvement. Conclusions : Findings reveal high HIV infection rates among transgender women in Jamaica. Sex work‐involved participants experience social and structural drivers of HIV, including violence, stigma, and unemployment. Transgender women involved in transactional sex also experience high rates of incarceration, forced sex and homelessness in comparison with non‐sex workers. Taken together, these findings suggest that social ecological factors elevate HIV exposure among sex work‐involved transgender women in Jamaica. Findings can inform interventions to advance human rights and HIV prevention and care cascades with transgender women in Jamaica.     

An analysis of citations of publications in anaesthesia journals

Which journals cite work published in anaesthetic journals is of potential interest to authors, editors and publishers. We analysed citations made in 2017–2018 for articles, reviews, editorials and letters published by 12 anaesthetic journals in 2016, using the Web of Science™ citation index platform. We analysed 12,544 citations made for 3518 items. Citations were most often made by specialist anaesthesia journals and critical care journals, and occurred most commonly in articles, followed by reviews, editorials and letters. The median (IQR [range]) number of citations made per item was 3.3 (2.6–4.1 [1.6–5.1]). The median (IQR [range]) number of journals that cited the 12 source journals was 302 (236–449 [139–671]). The median (IQR [range]) proportion of citations made by the same journal that published the items (i.e. ‘self-citations’) was 15% (11–17% [5–32%]). There were 1305/1932 (68%) citations made by North American journals for items published in North American journals and 1712/2063 (83%) citations made by European journals for items published in European journals, p < 0.0001. Our analysis may inform authors, editors and publishers where to submit work, what editorial policy to pursue and what journal strategy to follow, respectively.     

Notificación y clasificación de complicaciones después de procedimientos quirúrgicos urológicos: una evaluación y recomendaciones del panel de guías clínicas de la EAU

ContextThe incidence of postoperative complications is still the most frequently used surrogate marker of quality in surgery, but no standard guidelines or criteria exist for reporting surgical complications in the area of urology.ObjectiveTo review the available reporting systems used for urologic surgical complications, to establish a possible change in attitude towards reporting of complications using standardised systems, to assess systematically the Clavien-Dindo system when used for the reporting of complications related to urologic surgical procedures, to identify shortcomings in reporting complications, and to propose recommendations for the development and implementation of future reporting systems that are focused on patient-centred outcomes.Evidence acquisitionStandardised systems for reporting and classification of surgical complications were identified through a systematic review of the literature. To establish a possible change in attitude towards reporting of complications related to urologic procedures, we performed a systematic literature search of all papers reporting complications after urologic surgery published in European Urology, Journal of Urology, Urology, BJU International, and World Journal of Urology in 1999–2000 and 2009–2010. Data identification for the systematic assessment of the Clavien-Dindo system currently used for the reporting of complications related to urologic surgical interventions involved a Medline/Embase search and the search engines of individual urologic journals and publishers using Clavien, urology, and complications as keywords. All selected papers were full-text retrieved and assessed; analysis was done based on structured forms.Evidence synthesisThe systematic review of the literature for standardised systems used for reporting and classification of surgical complications revealed five such systems. As far as the attitude of urologists towards reporting of complications, a shift could be seen in the number of studies using most of the Martin criteria, as well as in the number of studies using either standardised criteria or the Clavien-Dindo system. The latter system was not properly used in 72 papers (35.3%).ConclusionsUniformed reporting of complications after urologic procedures will aid all those involved in patient care and scientific publishing (authors, reviewers, and editors). It will also contribute to the improvement of the scientific quality of papers published in the field of urologic surgery. When reporting the outcomes of urologic procedures, the committee proposes a series of quality criteria.     

Gender Composition and Trends of Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia Editorial Board Membership: A 33-Year Analysis, 1987-2019

ObjectiveGender disparities in editorial board composition exist in the vast majority of specialties including anesthesiology. If a similar lack of gender parity exists in cardiothoracic anesthesiology is unknown. The authors examined the gender composition and trends of the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia (JCVA) editorial board from the initial year of its publication (1987) to 2019. The authors tested the hypothesis that the proportion of women serving on the JCVA editorial board has steadily increased over the journal's history, but women are underrepresented compared with the percentage of those currently practicing academic cardiothoracic anesthesia in the United States (US).DesignObservational study.SettingInternet analysis.ParticipantsAll members of the JCVA editorial board, 1987-2019.InterventionsThe JCVA editor-in-chief, the associate editor-in-chief, associate editors, section editors, and general editors on the board were extracted from the masthead of a single issue from each calendar year. The years were divided into quartiles (1987-1995, 1996-2003, 2004-2011, and 2012-2019) to collect representative samples of editorial board composition for analysis.Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 2,797 members of the JCVA editorial board were positively identified (2,477 [88.6%] men; 310 [11.1%] women); 10 (0.3%) editors could not be identified. Four hundred and fourteen associate and section editors were recorded (men 360 [87.0%], women 54 [13.0%]). There were also 2,353 general editors (2,087 [88.7%] men; 256 [10.9%] women). The total number of JCVA board members, associate and section editors, and general editors progressively increased from 1987 to 1995 to 2012 to 2019. The percentage of women serving on the editorial board increased from 2.5% to 15.8%. Increases in the proportion of female general editors from 2.9% to 16.2% were responsible for this overall increase. A gender gap between the percentage of female first authors (data obtained from a previous publication) and editorial board members was observed in each quartile. Editorial board composition was also different than last author distribution in 1987 to 1995 and 2012 to 2019, but not the other 2 time periods.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that the proportion of women serving on the JCVA editorial board has steadily increased over the journal's history. Nevertheless, women continue to be underrepresented on the JCVA board compared with the percentage of US female academic cardiothoracic anesthesiologists, and gender gaps between first and last authorship and board composition also persist.     

The cost and cost-effectiveness of gender-responsive interventions for HIV: a systematic review

Introduction

Harmful gender norms and inequalities, including gender-based violence, are important structural barriers to effective HIV programming. We assess current evidence on what forms of gender-responsive intervention may enhance the effectiveness of basic HIV programmes and be cost-effective.

Methods

Effective intervention models were identified from an existing evidence review (“what works for women”). Based on this, we conducted a systematic review of published and grey literature on the costs and cost-effectiveness of each intervention identified. Where possible, we compared incremental costs and effects.

Results

Our effectiveness search identified 36 publications, reporting on the effectiveness of 22 HIV interventions with a gender focus. Of these, 11 types of interventions had a corresponding/comparable costing or cost-effectiveness study. The findings suggest that couple counselling for the prevention of vertical transmission; gender empowerment, community mobilization, and female condom promotion for female sex workers; expanded female condom distribution for the general population; and post-exposure HIV prophylaxis for rape survivors are cost-effective HIV interventions. Cash transfers for schoolgirls and school support for orphan girls may also be cost-effective in generalized epidemic settings.

Conclusions

There has been limited research to assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions that seek to address women''s needs and transform harmful gender norms. Our review identified several promising, cost-effective interventions that merit consideration as critical enablers in HIV investment approaches, as well as highlight that broader gender and development interventions can have positive HIV impacts. By no means an exhaustive package, these represent a first set of interventions to be included in the investment framework.     

Strengthening the enabling environment for women and girls: what is the evidence in social and structural approaches in the HIV response?

There is growing interest in expanding public health approaches that address social and structural drivers that affect the environment in which behaviour occurs. Half of those living with HIV infection are women. The sociocultural and political environment in which women live can enable or inhibit their ability to protect themselves from acquiring HIV. This paper examines the evidence related to six key social and structural drivers of HIV for women: transforming gender norms; addressing violence against women; transforming legal norms to empower women; promoting women’s employment, income and livelihood opportunities; advancing education for girls and reducing stigma and discrimination. The paper reviews the evidence for successful and promising social and structural interventions related to each driver. This analysis contains peer-reviewed published research and study reports with clear and transparent data on the effectiveness of interventions. Structural interventions to address these key social and structural drivers have led to increasing HIV-protective behaviours, creating more gender-equitable relationships and decreasing violence, improving services for women, increasing widows’ ability to cope with HIV and reducing behaviour that increases HIV risk, particularly among young people.     

Reporting and grading of complications after urologic surgical procedures: an ad hoc EAU guidelines panel assessment and recommendations

Context

The incidence of postoperative complications is still the most frequently used surrogate marker of quality in surgery, but no standard guidelines or criteria exist for reporting surgical complications in the area of urology.

Objective

To review the available reporting systems used for urologic surgical complications, to establish a possible change in attitude towards reporting of complications using standardised systems, to assess systematically the Clavien-Dindo system when used for the reporting of complications related to urologic surgical procedures, to identify shortcomings in reporting complications, and to propose recommendations for the development and implementation of future reporting systems that are focused on patient-centred outcomes.

Evidence acquisition

Standardised systems for reporting and classification of surgical complications were identified through a systematic review of the literature. To establish a possible change in attitude towards reporting of complications related to urologic procedures, we performed a systematic literature search of all papers reporting complications after urologic surgery published in European Urology, Journal of Urology, Urology, BJU International, and World Journal of Urology in 1999-2000 and 2009-2010. Data identification for the systematic assessment of the Clavien-Dindo system currently used for the reporting of complications related to urologic surgical interventions involved a Medline/Embase search and the search engines of individual urologic journals and publishers using Clavien, urology, and complications as keywords. All selected papers were full-text retrieved and assessed; analysis was done based on structured forms.

Evidence synthesis

The systematic review of the literature for standardised systems used for reporting and classification of surgical complications revealed five such systems. As far as the attitude of urologists towards reporting of complications, a shift could be seen in the number of studies using most of the Martin criteria, as well as in the number of studies using either standardised criteria or the Clavien-Dindo system. The latter system was not properly used in 72 papers (35.3%).

Conclusions

Uniformed reporting of complications after urologic procedures will aid all those involved in patient care and scientific publishing (authors, reviewers, and editors). It will also contribute to the improvement of the scientific quality of papers published in the field of urologic surgery. When reporting the outcomes of urologic procedures, the committee proposes a series of quality criteria.     

The Road to Reproducibility in Animal Research

Reproducibility of research findings is the hallmark of scientific advance. However, the recently noted lack of reproducibility and transparency of published research using animal models of human biology and disease has alarmed funders, scientists, and the public. Improved reporting of methodology and better use of statistical tools are needed to enhance the quality and utility of published research. Reporting guidelines like Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) have been devised to achieve these goals, but most biomedical research journals, including the JBMR, have not been able to obtain high compliance. Cooperative efforts among authors, reviewers and editors—empowered by increased awareness of their responsibilities, and enabled by user‐friendly guidelines—are needed to solve this problem. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Women hold up half the sky – and half the burden of the HIV epidemic

It has been said that women hold up half the sky. In the HIV epidemic, women carry half the burden of the epidemic, perhaps even more. The HIV burden on women is dramatically higher in some regions, certain age groups and among marginalized groups, such as female sex workers. Women''s vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by gender inequality and domestic violence.The global effort towards elimination of paediatric HIV and keeping mothers alive deserves applause. However, the needs of women go beyond their child-bearing age or potentials and/or reproductive desires and must be recognized in the global HIV agenda. In particular, more female-controlled prevention tools are urgently required to allow women to protect themselves.It is time to turn the tide through promoting gender equality and genuinely committing to gender-responsive policies and programmes, and encouraging a more gender-aware research agenda that can generate necessary evidence. In recognition of International Women''s Day, the Journal of the International AIDS Society is pleased to launch a thematic series to highlight articles that address the different dimensions of HIV as they relate to women.It has been said that women hold up half the sky [1]. In the HIV epidemic, women carry half the burden of the epidemic, perhaps even more. Although HIV initially was more prevalent among men, the burden of disease shifted quickly and HIV incidence among women has equalled that of men. By the end of 2011, almost exactly half, 49%, of people living with HIV were women, according to the latest UNAIDS figures [2, 3].The HIV burden on women is dramatically higher in some regions: in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean nearly 60% of people living with HIV are women. In certain age groups, women are also at greater risk of HIV infection: adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa constitute 71% of all youth aged 15 to 24 living with HIV [2, 3]. Furthermore, among married discordant couples, women remain at greater risk for acquisition of HIV than do men. In west Africa, for example, 25% of new infections occur in married heterosexual women. Women among certain marginalized groups are worst affected; sex workers are 13.5 times more likely to be infected with HIV than other women; and in some studies, women who inject drugs have been reported to have a 50% higher HIV prevalence than men who inject drugs [3]. A particular sub-population of women that are especially absent in the context of HIV are lesbian, bisexual, queer and transsexual (LBQT) women, who are frequently subject to violence, stigma and discrimination, putting them at higher HIV risk. HIV prevalence among transgender women, who may have consensual or non-consensual sex with men, has been reported to range from 11.8 to 27.7% [2, 4].In general, women''s vulnerability to HIV acquisition is exacerbated by gender inequality and domestic violence. Addressing gender-based violence in national HIV programmes has been proven to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, encourage HIV disclosure and improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) [5, 6]. More female-controlled prevention tools that do not require male consent or participation are vital if we are to make progress in the years to come.It would be simplistic to measure the burden of the epidemic only in terms of epidemiological data. Women carry a disproportionately large burden as primary caregivers for HIV-positive family members and also shoulder most of the unpaid household work. More equitable caregiving responsibility between men and women is a fundamental, though often forgotten, aspect of the global response. As a featured theme of the on-going 57th Commission on the Status of Women, a renewed effort to urge actions for an equal sharing of responsibilities in the context of HIV caregiving between men and women is therefore welcome [7].The global HIV community has taken steps towards addressing the changing face and the feminization of the epidemic, with some noticeable success. Owing to an accelerated effort in line with the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive, the proportion of pregnant women living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy in the 21 high priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa indentified in the Global Plan jumped from 16% in 2009 to 48% in 2011 [8]. These figures may account for the higher ART coverage rates observed in women as compared with men in low- and middle-income countries (68% vs. 47%, respectively) [2]. Better ART coverage among women than men is likely due to underlying factors, such as the different health-seeking behaviours of women and men, and the fact that women have multiple entry points to care, including antenatal clinics and prevention of mother to child transmission programmes.The needs of women, however, go beyond their child-bearing age or potentials and/or reproductive desires and must be recognized in the global HIV agenda. According to the UNAIDS 2012 country progress report, of the total HIV funding allocated for women in 2009 to 2011, 71% was invested in prevention of vertical transmission, and only 5% was allocated to prevention of gender-based violence [3, 9].The concept of “know your epidemic” is an important mantra that has been rightfully advocated, though it has not been extended fully to women. Data on HIV prevalence and treatment coverage reported by countries do provide a general overview of the HIV status in men and women. However, details with respect to different sub-populations are frequently absent, and data are seldom disaggregated by sex or age. Structural barriers apply to women regardless of age and sexual preference, and are influenced by complex gender dynamics and intertwined with socio-economic factors that reduce women''s ability to protect themselves from HIV infection. Gender dimension must be integrated into programmes and accounted for across the continuum of care.In recognition of International Women''s Day, the Journal of the International AIDS Society is pleased to launch a thematic series to highlight articles that address the different dimensions of HIV as they relate to women. With this launch, we are also welcoming new contributions.In an article by Rujumba et al., published in this thematic series, the authors provide insight into such factors as stigma, fear of intimate partner violence and loss of financial support in case of abandonment as barriers to HIV disclosure by HIV-positive pregnant women to their partners [10]. To better respond to the realities of women, Carter et al. provide an overview of what is considered to be female-specific programmes and propose a conceptual definition of women-centred programming in the context of HIV [11]. A qualitative study of LBQT women by Logie et al. sheds light on the complex challenges faced by LBQT women, underlining the negligence of the HIV risk for this population, translating into an absence of directed efforts [4].Other relevant contributions are underway, and we welcome additional submissions that can fill the outstanding gaps on issues pertaining to women living with, at risk of or affected by HIV across ages and sub-populations.More than 30 years into the epidemic, it is time to turn the tide through promoting gender equality and genuinely committing to gender-responsive policies and programmes, and encouraging a more gender-aware research agenda that can generate necessary evidence.     

Sexing Bones: Improving Transparency of Sex Reporting to Address Bias Within Preclinical Studies

Despite knowledge that sexually dimorphic mechanisms regulate bone homeostasis, sex often remains unreported and unconsidered in preclinical experimental design. Failure to report sex could lead to inappropriate generalizations of research findings and less effective translation into clinical practice. Preclinical sex bias (preferential selection of one sex) is present across other fields, including neuroscience and immunology, but remains uninvestigated in skeletal research. For context, we first summarized key literature describing sexually dimorphic bone phenotypes in mice. We then investigated sex reporting practices in skeletal research, specifically how customary it is for murine sex to be included in journal article titles or abstracts and then determined whether any bias in sex reporting exists. Because sex hormones are important regulators of bone health (gonadectomy procedures, ie, ovariectomy [OVX] and orchidectomy [ORX], are common yet typically not reported with sex), we incorporated reporting of OVX and ORX terms, representing female and male mice, respectively, into our investigations around sex bias. Between 1999 and 2020, inclusion of sex in titles or abstracts was low in murine skeletal studies (2.6%–4.06%). Reporting of OVX and ORX terms was low (1.44%–2.64%) and reporting of OVX and ORX with sex uncommon (0.4%–0.3%). When studies were combined to include both sexes and OVX (representing female) and ORX terms (representing male), a bias toward reporting of female mice was evident. However, when the terms OVX and ORX were removed, a bias toward the use of male mice was identified. Thus, studies focusing on sex hormones are biased toward female reporting with all other studies biased in reporting of male mice. We now call upon journal editors to introduce consistent guidance for transparent and accessible reporting of murine sex in skeletal research to better monitor preclinical sex bias, to diversify development of treatments for bone health, and to enable global skeletal health equity. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Male circumcision for HIV prevention: current evidence and implementation in sub‐Saharan Africa

Heterosexual exposure accounts for most HIV transmission in sub‐Saharan Africa, and this mode, as a proportion of new infections, is escalating globally. The scientific evidence accumulated over more than 20 years shows that among the strategies advocated during this period for HIV prevention, male circumcision is one of, if not, the most efficacious epidemiologically, as well as cost‐wise. Despite this, and recommendation of the procedure by global policy makers, national implementation has been slow. Additionally, some are not convinced of the protective effect of male circumcision and there are also reports, unsupported by evidence, that non‐sex‐related drivers play a major role in HIV transmission in sub‐Saharan Africa. Here, we provide a critical evaluation of the state of the current evidence for male circumcision in reducing HIV infection in light of established transmission drivers, provide an update on programmes now in place in this region, and explain why policies based on established scientific evidence should be prioritized. We conclude that the evidence supports the need to accelerate the implementation of medical male circumcision programmes for HIV prevention in generalized heterosexual epidemics, as well as in countering the growing heterosexual transmission in countries where HIV prevalence is presently low.     

Test‐retest studies in quantitative sensory testing: a critical review

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) investigates the graded psychophysical response to controlled thermal, mechanical, electrical or chemical stimuli, allowing quantification of clinically relevant perception and pain thresholds. The methods are ubiquitously used in experimental and clinical pain research, and therefore, the need for uniform assessment procedures has been emphasised. However, varying consistency and transparency in the statistical methodology seem to occur in the QST literature. Sixteen publications, evaluating aspects of QST variability, from 2010 to 2012, were critically reviewed in detail. A considerable heterogeneity in the statistical evaluations of test‐retest data was demonstrated. The authors, using a secondary analysis of published data for didactic purposes, propose and present minimal requirements for reporting of test‐retest QST data.     

Hip and Buttock Implants to Enhance the Feminine Contour for Patients with HIV

The antiretroviral therapy for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes lipodystrophy, or a change in the distribution of body. Treatment for the facial changes is well addressed and covered in the recent literature, but female patients also report changes in their buttocks and lower limbs. There is no treatment for the lower limb deformity, but plastic surgeons can do something for the buttock. The authors propose a classification for the deformities of these patients and a new solution to improve the contour of this area and to reduce the social impact of deformity on women with HIV. This consists of placing two silicone implants, in the buttock and on the hip, to give a rounder appearance. The authors think that hip implants may be indicated also for gender reassignment surgery and for women with masculine features.     

Transplant Infectious Diseases: A Review of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Published Data

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) serves to collect data on organ transplants performed in the United States. Although the infectious diseases data are limited and include mostly pretransplant serologies and other nonspecific infection‐related outcomes, this multicenter data collection allows for insightful national data and the ability to monitor trends over time. We reviewed the published concise reports for each organ type in SRTR reports containing data from 2005 to 2014, and summarized our findings with respect to cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein‐Barr virus, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV, general infection, and prophylaxis. Our review highlights a few developments. While rates of donor–recipient CMV serology combinations remain fairly constant over time, there are generally more seronegative donors and recipients among living donor transplants. There has been a reduction in PTLD for pediatric transplant recipients. There has also been a slight reduction in anti‐HBV core antibody–positive donor organs and stable reporting of HCV‐positive donor organs and HIV‐positive recipients.     

Review article: Reporting Guidelines in the biomedical literature

Purpose

Complete and accurate reporting of original research in the biomedical literature is essential for healthcare professionals to translate research outcomes appropriately into clinical practice. Use of reporting guidelines has become commonplace among journals, peer reviewers, and authors. This narrative review aims 1) to inform investigators, peer reviewers, and authors of original research in anesthesia on reporting guidelines for frequently reported study designs; 2) to describe the evidence supporting the use of reporting guidelines and checklists; and 3) to discuss the implications of widespread adoption of reporting guidelines by biomedical journals and peer reviewers.

Principal findings

Inadequate reporting can influence the interpretation, translation, and application of published research. As a result, reporting guidelines have been developed in order to improve the quality, completeness, and accuracy of original research reports. Biomedical journals increasingly endorse the use of reporting guidelines for authors and peer reviewers. To date, there is encouraging evidence that reporting guidelines improve the quality of reporting of published research, but the rates of both adoption of reporting guidelines and improvement in reporting are far from ideal.

Conclusions

Use of reporting guidelines improves the quality of published research in biomedical journals. Nevertheless, the quality of research in the biomedical literature remains suboptimal despite increased adherence to reporting guidelines.     

Guidelines for Reporting Case Studies on Extracorporeal Treatments in Poisonings: Methodology

A literature review performed by the EX tracorporeal TR eatments I n P oisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup highlighted deficiencies in the existing literature, especially the reporting of case studies. Although general reporting guidelines exist for case studies, there are none in the specific field of extracorporeal treatments in toxicology. Our goal was to construct and propose a checklist that systematically outlines the minimum essential items to be reported in a case study of poisoned patients undergoing extracorporeal treatments. Through a modified two‐round Delphi technique, panelists (mostly chosen from the EXTRIP workgroup) were asked to vote on the pertinence of a set of items to identify those considered minimally essential for reporting complete and accurate case reports. Furthermore, independent raters validated the clarity of each selected items between each round of voting. All case reports containing data on extracorporeal treatments in poisoning published in Medline in 2011 were reviewed during the external validation rounds. Twenty‐one panelists (20 from the EXTRIP workgroup and an invited expert on pharmacology reporting guidelines) participated in the modified Delphi technique. This group included journal editors and experts in nephrology, clinical toxicology, critical care medicine, emergency medicine, and clinical pharmacology. Three independent raters participated in the validation rounds. Panelists voted on a total of 144 items in the first round and 137 items in the second round, with response rates of 96.3% and 98.3%, respectively. Twenty case reports were evaluated at each validation round and the independent raters' response rate was 99.6% and 98.8% per validation round. The final checklist consists of 114 items considered essential for case study reporting. This methodology of alternate voting and external validation rounds was useful in developing the first reporting guideline for case studies in the field of extracorporeal treatments in poisoning. We believe that this guideline will improve the completeness and transparency of published case reports and that the systematic aggregation of information from case reports may provide early signals of effectiveness and/or harm, thereby improving healthcare decision‐making.     

Not an equal opportunity disease - a sex and gender-based review of colorectal cancer in men and women: Part I

This paper reviews the literature on colorectal cancer from a sex and gender-based perspective. Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death in the developed world, with rates increasing in developing countries. Although described by some writers as an ‘equal opportunity’ disease, it presents more risk to men than women. Both biological, or sex-linked factors, and gender-linked factors play a part in the aetiology of the disease, while gender differences in the use of screening and treatment also help shape the mortality gap between women and men for this condition. Without an appreciation of the part played by sex and gender in the risk of colorectal cancer, and without a gender-sensitive approach to screening in particular, it is possible that the mortality gap between men and women for this condition will widen in the future.