Analysis of Multiple Outcomes in Mental Health Trials
Author Information
Author(s): Dominic Stringer, Mollie Payne, Ben Carter, Richard Emsley
Primary Institution: Kings College London
Hypothesis
Are mental health trials effectively analyzing and reporting multiple outcomes according to current guidelines?
Conclusion
Most mental health trials follow CONSORT guidance, but many do not adequately address the issues of multiplicity in outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- 147 mental health trials were included in the review.
- 101 out of 147 trials specified a single primary outcome.
- Only 10% of trials used any strategy to analyze multiple outcomes.
- Most trials did not correct for multiplicity when multiple primary outcomes were specified.
- The median number of clinical outcomes reported was 8.
Takeaway
This study looked at how mental health trials report their results. It found that while many trials do a good job, they often forget to properly handle multiple outcomes.
Methodology
A systematic review of late-stage mental health trials published between 2019 and 2020, assessing the reporting of multiple outcomes.
Limitations
The review was limited to selected leading journals and specific years, which may not fully represent all mental health trials.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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