Positive Outcomes Influence the Rate and Time to Publication, but Not the Impact Factor of Publications of Clinical Trial Results

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054583
• Publication Date: 2013-01-30T22:28:03Z
• Authors: Pilar Suñé; Josep Maria Suñé; J. Bruno Montoro
• Keywords: Impact factor

Publication bias may affect the validity of evidence based medical decisions. The aim this study is to assess whether research outcomes dissemination clinical trial findings, in terms rate, time publication, and impact factor journal publications.All drug-evaluating trials submitted approved by a general hospital ethics committee between 1997 2004 were prospectively followed analyze their fate publication. Published articles identified searching Pubmed other electronic databases. Clinical final reports committee, synopses available online meeting abstracts also considered as sources results. Study classified positive (when statistical significance favoring experimental drug was achieved), negative no achieved or it favored control drug) descriptive (for non-controlled studies). Time publication defined from closure A survival analysis performed using Cox regression model Journal factors publications recorded. rate 48·4% (380/785). results for 68·9% all completed (541/785). 84·9% (180/212) studies with (128/186) (p<0·001). Median 2·09 years (IC95 1·61-2·56) 3·21 2·69-3·70) (hazard ratio 1·99 1·55-2·55). No differences found (median 6·308, interquartile range: 3·141-28·409) result 8·266, 4·135-17·157).Clinical have significantly higher rates shorter times than those However, been factor.