BMJ  2007;335:783-784 (20 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.39351.581366.BE

Editorials

Reporting of observational studies

New recommendations should help researchers, journal editors, and readers

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

In this week's BMJ, von Elm and colleagues report the STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) statement, which recommends what should be included in an accurate and complete report of an analytical observational study.1

Observational epidemiology has made an immense contribution to our understanding of the causes and treatment of disease. Numerous causal associations between risks factors and disease have been identified (see box in version on bmj.com). Most of these observations have led to substantial improvements in public health by causing changes in policy or by leading to the development of effective treatments.


Smoking and cancerw1
Radiation exposure and cancerw2
Lipids and coronary diseasew3
Blood pressure and strokew4
Sleeping position and sudden infant deathw5
Folate and risk of neural tube defectsw6
Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancerw7
Male circumcision and HIV infectionw8
Aspirin use and colorectal cancerw9


Observational studies are also essential for effective clinical . . . [Full text of this article]

Peter M Rothwell, professor of clinical neurology, Meena Bhatia, research fellow

Stroke Prevention Research Unit, University Department of Clinical Neurology, Oxford OX2 6HA

peter.rothwell@clneuro.ox.ac.uk


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies
Erik von Elm, Douglas G Altman, Matthias Egger, Stuart J Pocock, Peter C Gøtzsche, Jan P Vandenbroucke STROBE Initiative
BMJ 2007 335: 806-808. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • von Elm, E., Altman, D. G. (2008). Reporting Guidelines: Looking Back From the Future. Chest 134: 682-684 [Full text]  
  • Lloyd, G. (2007). More than high standards needed. BMJ 335: 900-900 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Observational Studies Require More Than Just High Standards!
Guy Lloyd
bmj.com, 23 Oct 2007 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ