Methodological choices in the area of ‘reporting of results’
| Topics | Results from studies in inflammatory arthritis (n=58) | Aspects identified by authors of SLRs in other chronic diseases (n=24) | ||
| N/N* (%) | Detailed information | N† (%) | Comments | |
| 13. Work-related drop-out/loss to follow-up reported | 1/58 (2%) | Reported loss to follow-up and work-related reasons for drop-out50 | 2 (8%) | Attrition and its reasons are inconsistently reported: described as well reported in 1 SLR118and inadequately reported in the other112 |
| 14. The size and characteristics of the (sub)groups analysed are described | 58/58 (100%) | All studies reported the size and characteristics of the analysed (sub)groups16–73 | 1 (4%) | No subgroup analysis is performed in included studies104 |
| 15. Group level and patient level presented | 11/58 (19%) | Presented both aggregated results (group level) and percentages according to meaningful thresholds (patient level)19 30 35 42 51 56 59 62 65 66 71 | 1 (4%) | Lack of patient-level data precluded meta-analysis104 |
| 16. Volumes of production loss reported in cost studies | 21/24‡ (88%) | Of the studies reporting productivity costs, 88% provided data on natural volumes (days/hours) used to calculate costs16 74–76 78–82 84–92 94–96 | Not reported | – |
*The denominator may vary according to the topic assessed.
†Number of systematic literature reviews in other chronic diseases in which the authors report on the corresponding topic.
‡The denominator corresponds to the studies reporting productivity costs.
n/N, number of original studies in which the methodological choice was identified/number of studies in which the topic was possible to assess.