Skip to main content

Table 6 Association between a structured research question and reporting of key quality elements

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

Independent Variable

Median

Q1-Q3

Multivariable Model

Univariate Models

 

KSa

 

IRR

95% CI

p value

IRR

95% CI

p value

Structured RQ

        

Not complete PICOc

0

0 - 1

1

-

-

1

-

-

Complete PICO

1

0 - 1

1.530

1.311 - 1.786

< 0.0001

1.510

1.398 - 1.632

< 0.0001

Funding Source

        

Othersc

0

0 - 1

1

-

-

1

-

-

Completely funded by industry

1

0 - 1

1.088

0.775 - 1.528

0.6249

1.112

0.761 - 1.623

0.5834

Journal of Publication

        

Othersc

0

0 - 1

1

-

-

1

-

-

J Clin Endocrinol Metab

0

0 - 1

0.808

0.466 - 1.400

0.4473

0.924

0.515 - 1.658

0.7919

Sample Size

0

0 - 1

1.216d

0.876 - 1.689

0.2421

1.222

0.922 - 1.619

0.1623

  1. Use of a structured RQ is defined as the reporting of complete PICO
  2. 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.
  3. a Maximum possible score = 3
  4. b The value is an expression of the change in the average of the key score due to one unit increase in PICOT score.
  5. c Reference category
  6. 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.