Why Review Articles on the Health Effects of Passive Smoking Reach Different Conclusions

摘要: Objective.— To determine whether the conclusions of review articles on health effects passive smoking are associated with article quality, affiliations their authors, or other characteristics. Data Sources.— Review published from 1980 to 1995 were identified through electronic searches MEDLINE and EMBASE a database symposium proceedings smoking. Article Selection.— An was included if its stated implied purpose scientific evidence that is 1 more outcomes. Articles excluded they did not focus specifically written in English. Extraction.— quality evaluated by 2 independent assessors who trained, followed protocol, had no disclosed conflicts interest, blinded all study hypotheses identifying characteristics articles. categorized one authors. Author affiliation classified as either tobacco industry affiliated not, based authors known have received funding participated activities sponsored industry. Other using predefined criteria. Synthesis.— A total 106 reviews identified. Overall, 37% (39/106) concluded harmful health; 74% (29/39) these affiliations. In multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for peer status, topic, year publication, only factor concluding an author (odds ratio, 88.4; 95% confidence interval, 16.4-476.5;P,.001). Conclusions.— The strongly Authors should disclose potential financial readers consider authors’ when deciding how judge article’s conclusions.