Article type
Abstract
Enhancing Evidence-Based Pediatric Medicine: A Comprehensive Quality Assessment of Pediatric Cohort Studies
Background: Pediatric cohort studies are crucial for understanding child development, disease risks, and the impact of exposure factors in children. However, the quality of such studies has not yet been comprehensively evaluated.
Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of pediatric cohort studies with the objective of enhancing the evidence base for pediatric medicine. By identifying key quality issues and proposing targeted improvement strategies, the study aims to provide valuable guidance for clinical researchers, thereby facilitating evidence-based decision-making in pediatric research and clinical practice.
Methods and analysis: We searched PubMed database from 2018 to 2023, restricting the search to selected major medical journals and top pediatric journals. We included retrospective and prospective cohort studies on any disease where all participants were children or adolescents aged <18 years. Methodological quality of the included papers was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and reporting quality using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. We compared the adherence to specific items of NOS and STROBE as well as the overall quality according to publication year, journal, cohort type. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS: qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and quantitative data with chi-squared or nonparametric tests.
Results: We identified 394 cohort studies. Quality of pediatric cohort studies has been improving year by year. The main points of deduction are related to the representativeness of the exposed group, follow-up duration, and the integrity of the follow-up. The full results will be presented in the Summit.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to assess both methodological and reporting quality of pediatric cohort studies in leading journals, utilizing the NOS and STROBE statement. The improved quality of pediatric cohort studies will lead to stronger evidence, ultimately enhancing the evidence base for pediatric medicine and guiding clinical decision making.We believe that the results of this study will offer valuable insights to enhance the quality, impact, and validity of future cohorts involving children and adolescents and ultimately improve clinical practice in pediatrics.
Background: Pediatric cohort studies are crucial for understanding child development, disease risks, and the impact of exposure factors in children. However, the quality of such studies has not yet been comprehensively evaluated.
Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of pediatric cohort studies with the objective of enhancing the evidence base for pediatric medicine. By identifying key quality issues and proposing targeted improvement strategies, the study aims to provide valuable guidance for clinical researchers, thereby facilitating evidence-based decision-making in pediatric research and clinical practice.
Methods and analysis: We searched PubMed database from 2018 to 2023, restricting the search to selected major medical journals and top pediatric journals. We included retrospective and prospective cohort studies on any disease where all participants were children or adolescents aged <18 years. Methodological quality of the included papers was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and reporting quality using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. We compared the adherence to specific items of NOS and STROBE as well as the overall quality according to publication year, journal, cohort type. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS: qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and quantitative data with chi-squared or nonparametric tests.
Results: We identified 394 cohort studies. Quality of pediatric cohort studies has been improving year by year. The main points of deduction are related to the representativeness of the exposed group, follow-up duration, and the integrity of the follow-up. The full results will be presented in the Summit.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to assess both methodological and reporting quality of pediatric cohort studies in leading journals, utilizing the NOS and STROBE statement. The improved quality of pediatric cohort studies will lead to stronger evidence, ultimately enhancing the evidence base for pediatric medicine and guiding clinical decision making.We believe that the results of this study will offer valuable insights to enhance the quality, impact, and validity of future cohorts involving children and adolescents and ultimately improve clinical practice in pediatrics.