The quality of reporting in clinical research: the CONSORT and STROBE initiatives

Abstract

Inaccurate reporting of data hampers the generalizability and the correct interpretation of results of scientific medical papers. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) initiatives, both included in the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) international network, have elaborated appropriate guidelines in order to improve the transparence, clearness and completeness of scientific literature. The CONSORT statement consists of a 25 items checklist and a flow-chart diagram which provide guidance to Authors on how to report randomized clinical trials. The STROBE is a checklist of 22 items which should be addressed when observational studies (case-control, cohort and cross-sectional) are made up. Many editorial committees and prestigious international journals have now embraced these guidelines to improve the quality and methodology of their scientific reports.