Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest in dermatological guidelines in Germany - an analysis - status quo and quo vadis

Abstract

Background: In order to ensure the reliability of clinical practice guidelines it is essential to consider potential conflicts of interest with regard to its development.

Methods: All valid dermatological practice guidelines, which were developed by the German Dermatologic Society (DDG) or the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD), were recorded. Details about financing and conflicts of interest were systematically evaluated by two independent appraisers according to Domain 6 of the guidelines evaluation instruments AGREE and AGREE II.

Results: 38 practice guidelines of the DDG/BVDD were identified. Data about financing of the guidelines are included in 12 of 38 guidelines (32 %) only. Conflicts of interest are stated in no more than 7 of the 38 guidelines (18 %). Wherever a connection with the pharmaceutical industry was stated, no further information on how possible conflicts of interests were dealt with was found.

Conclusions: In current guidelines details on the financing as well as the disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are stated insufficiently. Here an optimization is necessary. Furthermore strategies for handling conflicts of interest need to be developed. One possibility is a specific discussion on this issue at the beginning and during the process of the guidelines work. Furthermore in case of potential conflicts of interest a solution as e. g. abstention from voting on specific questions needs to be developed.