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Patterns of reporting health-related quality of life outcomes in randomized clinical trials: implications for clinicians and quality of life researchers

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the patterns of, and trends over time in, health-related quality of life (HRQL) reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

The English-language literature of RCTs published in 2002–2008 was identified using Medline, Embase, and Healthstar databases, in addition to the Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry. Eligible trials were phase III studies that included an HRQL outcome. Data were abstracted on eight outcomes derived from previously recommended quality standards for reporting HRQL, and on four outcomes describing how HRQL data are presented in RCT reports. Two readers examined each article; discrepancies were resolved through discussion and third review if required.

Results

A sample of 794 RCTs was identified. HRQL was a primary outcome in 25.4% (200/794). One hundred and ten RCTs (14%) used “supplementary” reports (separate from the first publication) to report HRQL findings. The proportion of RCTs that met the eight quality indicators ranged from 15% (HRQL used in the calculation of sample size) to 81% (reporting instrument validity). RCTs with HRQL as a primary outcome or with a supplementary report had higher concordance on the quality measures. Reporting improved on many indicators over time. Substantive variation in how HRQL data are presented in RCTs was evident.

Conclusions

Current practice of reporting HRQL outcomes in RCTs remains highly variable, both with regard to quality of reporting and the patterns of data analysis and presentation. This variation presents challenges for clinicians to apply these data in clinical practice. Consistent reporting practices, which are interpretable by clinicians, are required, as are processes to achieve this consistency in future reports.

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Abbreviations

HRQL:

Health-related quality of life

RCT:

Randomized clinical trial

CONSORT:

Consolidated standards of reporting trials

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the work of Ms. Sarah Fleming in performing literature searches and data abstraction relating to the 2003–2004 data and Kim Foley for her work in doing the SAS analysis of the 2006–2008 data. Ms. Sarah Pickett assisted in locating and printing the 2006–2008 papers. We also thank the Editor and the two anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript. None of the authors declare a conflict of interest in the submission of this manuscript. This work was funded in part by a research operating grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Dr. Brundage is supported by a Cancer Care Ontario Research Chair award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Michael Brundage

  2. Cancer Care & Epidemiology, Queen’s Cancer Research Institute, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Michael Brundage, Brenda Bass, Judith Davidson, John Queenan, Anna Wilkinson & Deb Feldman-Stewart

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Andrea Bezjak & Jolie Ringash

  4. Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General Hospital, 25 King St W, Kingston, ON, K7L 5P9, Canada

    Michael Brundage

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  1. Michael Brundage
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  8. Deb Feldman-Stewart
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Correspondence to Michael Brundage.

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Brundage, M., Bass, B., Davidson, J. et al. Patterns of reporting health-related quality of life outcomes in randomized clinical trials: implications for clinicians and quality of life researchers. Qual Life Res 20, 653–664 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9793-3

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