Quality of life is rarely and poorly measured in randomised controlled trials

Quality of life has become an accepted end point in clinical research, but it is unclear how many trials report it and the quality of reporting has not been assessed. In a comprehensive survey of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Sanders et al (p 1191) found that, between 1980 and 1997, quality of life was reported in only 2% of trials overall and 4% of cancer trials. Reporting increased over time, but in 1997 it was included in less than 5% of trials overall and 10% of cancer trials. Detailed examination of a sample of trials showed that many different quality of life measures were used. Only about half the trials gave response rates, and under half reported on all items and scales. The authors conclude that standards of assessing and reporting quality of life in randomised controlled trials are needed.


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