ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to explore adherence to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) reporting standards in abstracts of randomized controlled trials on glaucoma. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on the aforementioned abstracts, indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed between the years 2017 and 2021. In total, 302 abstracts met the inclusion criteria and were further analyzed. The median score of CONSORT-A items was 8 (interquartile range, 7-10) out of 17 (47.0%). Most analyzed studies were conducted in a single center (80.5%) and the abstracts were predominantly structured (95.0%). Only 20.5% of the abstracts adequately described the trial design, while randomization and funding were described by 6.0% of the abstracts. Higher overall scores were associated with structured abstracts, a multicenter setting, statistically significant results, funding by industry, a higher number of participants, and having been published in journals with impact factors above four (p < 0.001, respectively). The results of this study indicate a suboptimal adherence to CONSORT-A reporting standards, especially in particular items such as randomization and funding. Since these factors could contribute to the overall quality of the trials and further translation of trial results into clinical practice, an improvement in glaucoma research reporting transparency is needed.
ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The Croatian Institute of Public Health (CIPH) collects health care related statistical data based on the Republic of Croatia's Annual Plan of Implementation of Statistical Activities. The purpose of this study was to analyse the CIPH data retrieved from annual reports, obtained from contractual teams and institutions related to dental medicine activities, collected in respective counties and for the entire country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were collected from the Croatian Statistical Health Care Yearbook for the period from 2009 to 2013. RESULTS: The analysis has shown the increase in the number of insured persons (5%), but the decrease in the number of persons who received care (10%) and the increase in the number of visits (14%) and general examinations (13%). The majority of the beneficiaries were from the City of Zagreb with the highest number of visits, but with a low number of general examinations included in these visits (11%); while the Zadar County had the highest number of general examinations in terms of dental health care users (90.6%) and the proportion of general examinations in visits (30%). The most common diagnosis was dental caries (43%). The incomplete and insufficient reporting from some counties, inadequate recording of diagnoses and of curative and preventive procedures could be the factors affecting the quantity and quality of obtained data. Proper and regular submissions of reports to counties' public health institutes, regular preventive examinations, adequate recording of diagnoses and procedures would contribute positively to further health planning and the implementation of preventive measures for the improvement of oral health. CONCLUSION: The data analysis gives an insight into the current situation allowing on such basis further planning and conducting of activities at national and local level. Further analyses would help to get a better perspective and improvement of dental medicine activities.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental caries is the most common oral disease affecting all age groups and a major cause of tooth loss. Although a decrease in the prevalence of dental caries has been marked across the globe, in many countries it has remained a major oral-health problem. AIM: The objective of this paper was to show the trends in the DMFT/dmft index ââin Croatia, compare it with European countries and present further courses of action oriented towards promotion of oral health and decrease in caries prevalence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The DMFT index databases have been generated based on online database searches for the period from 1985 to 2015. RESULTS: Croatia is one of European countries with a high DMFT index relating to 12-year old children (4.18). The experience of countries with a low DMFT index has shown that dental caries can be controlled through education and prevention activities, which eventually lead to diminished financial costs, at individual and national level, improving overall health and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Tracking and monitoring of oral health i.e. dental caries need to be improved in terms of creation of data base systems on the prevalence of dental caries, determining multi-factorial causes of its occurrence and with respect to the implementation of national oral-health prevention programs.
