O-095 Is the process to retract fabricated randomised clinical trials in reproductive medicine working sufficiently?

AbstractStudy questionHow do journal editors and publishers respond on randomised clinical trials in reproductive medicine that have been identified as fabricated?Summary answerDespite clear proof of fabrication, only a small minority of fabricated RCTs is retracted within 12 months.What is known alreadyRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) are recognised as scientific investigations that have the least potential for bias and are therefore widely used to direct clinical practice. The validity of data in RCTs matters to the accountability of medical practice and the wellbeing of patients. Detection of integrity problems and subsequent action is therefore of imminent importance.Across all fields of medicine, it takes on average 4 years for papers labelled with research misconduct to be retracted. While this is partially explained by the time needed to detect the misconduct, the process of investigation and retraction is also slow and bureaucratic.Study design, size, durationWe studied the articles of 4 authors who have published 52 clearly fabricated RCTs in obstetrics/gynaecology. Data fabrication was clear from duplicate baseline and outcome tables in studies on different interventions done in different patients in different periods. The duplications could be from the author themselves, or from other articles. Our findings were published in the public domain for 3 of the 4 authors, with an article on the fourth author being submitted.Participants/materials, setting, methodsAfte...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research