Association Between Research Sponsorship and Study Outcome in Plastic Surgery Literature

摘要: Financial and other competing interests have recently received increasing attention. In particular clinical research in plastic surgery attracts for-profit organizations, thus, explaining the number of financial sponsorships. However, articles often lack sufficient description study design as well disclosure source funding. Furthermore, debate exists whether industry funding influences findings is leading to pro-industry results. A hand search was conducted identifying all randomized controlled (RCT) trials (CCT) 4 journals (Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, British Journal Plastic Annals Aesthetic Surgery) between 1990 2005. Subsequently, influence support on outcome analyzed. total 10,476 original were analyzed, resulting identification 346 which meet Cochrane criteria for RCTs CCTs. One hundred eighty-three 163 studies found be CCTs, respectively. Hereof, only 70 (20.2%) reported grant support. Of these, 42 (60%) supported by industry. Depending topic addressed marked differences detected regarding Studies with a focus reconstructive public institutions almost equal shares (18 vs. 15 trials), whereas aesthetic surgical topics predominantly funded (13 6 trials). Industry-funded more statistically significant treatment arms (28 16 Authors' conclusions positively associated interests. trial rarely declared literature. Thus, quality reporting needs improved able investigate these relationships greater detail draw representative conclusions.