Table 5.
Association between a structured research question and overall reporting quality
| Independent Variable | Median | Q1-Q3 | Multivariable Model | Univariate Models | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OQS1a | IRR | 95% CI | p value | IRR | 95% CI | p value | ||
| Structured RQ | ||||||||
| Not complete PICOc | 9 | 7 - 10 | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - |
| Complete PICO | 10 | 9 - 11 | 1.095 | 1.059 - 1.132 | < 0.0001 | 1.104 | 1.084 - 1.125 | < 0.0001 |
| Funding Source | ||||||||
| Othersc | 9 | 8 - 11 | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - |
| Completely funded by industry | 10 | 9 - 10 | 1.256 | 1.006 - 1.046 | 0.0113 | 1.074 | 0.986 - 1.171 | 0.1027 |
| Journal of Publication | ||||||||
| Othersc | 9 | 7 - 10 | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - |
| J Clin Endocrinol Metab | 9 | 8 - 11 | 1.039 | 0.962 - 1.121 | 0.3325 | 1.074 | 0.986 - 1.171 | 0.1027 |
| Sample Size | 9 | 8 - 10 | 1.066d | 1.012 - 1.123 | 0.0169 | 1.095 | 1.011 - 1.185 | 0.0250 |
Use of a structured RQ is defined as the reporting of complete PICO
Abbreviations: OQS, Overall quality score; Q1, quartile 1; Q3, quartile 3; IRR, incidence rate ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval; GEE, generalized estimating equations; RCTs, randomized controlled trials.
a Maximum possible score = 14
b The value is an expression of the change in the average of the OQS due to one unit increase in PICOT score.
c Reference category
d The sample size variable was log(10) transformed. The value is an expression of the change in the average of the OQS due to one unit increase in sample size in the log scale.