Association between framing of the research question using the PICOT format and reporting quality of randomized controlled trials

Table 4 Association between PICOT score and reporting of key quality elements

Independent Variable	Median	Q1-Q3	Multivariable Model			Univariate Models
	KS^a		IRR	95% CI	p value	IRR	95% CI	p value
PICOT	0	0 - 1	1.142^b	1.079 - 1.210	< 0.0001	1.142	1.058 - 1.232	0.0006
Funding Source
Others^c	0	0 - 1	1	-	-	1	-	-
Completely funded by industry	1	0 - 1	1.074	0.747 - 1.544	0.7013	1.112	0.761 - 1.623	0.5834
Journal of Publication
Others^c	0	0 - 1	1	-	-	1	-	-
J Clin Endocrinol Metab	0	0 - 1	0.881	0.533 - 1.455	0.6205	0.924	0.515 - 1.658	0.7919
Sample Size	0	0 - 1	1.255^d	0.936 - 1.684	0.1292	1.222	0.922 - 1.619	0.1623

Abbreviations: KS, Key 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 = 3
^b The value is an expression of the change in the average of the key score 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 key score due to one unit increase in sample size in the log scale.

ISSN: 1471-2288