Increased endorsement of TRIPOD and other reporting guidelines by high impact factor journals: survey of instructions to authors

Pauline Heus; Demy L Idema; Emma Kruithof; Johanna A A G Damen; Maud S Verhoef-Jurgens; Johannes B Reitsma; Karel G M Moons; Lotty Hooft

doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.10.004

Increased endorsement of TRIPOD and other reporting guidelines by high impact factor journals: survey of instructions to authors

J Clin Epidemiol. 2024 Jan:165:111188. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.10.004. Epub 2023 Oct 16.

Authors

Pauline Heus¹, Demy L Idema², Emma Kruithof³, Johanna A A G Damen², Maud S Verhoef-Jurgens³, Johannes B Reitsma³, Karel G M Moons³, Lotty Hooft²

Affiliations

¹ Cochrane Netherlands, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Str. 6.131, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Str. 6.131, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: p.heus@umcutrecht.nl.
² Cochrane Netherlands, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Str. 6.131, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Str. 6.131, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
³ Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Str. 6.131, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 37852392
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.10.004

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the endorsement of reporting guidelines by high impact factor journals over the period 2017-2022, with a specific focus on the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement.

Study design and setting: We searched the online 'instructions to authors' of high impact factor medical journals in February 2017 and in January 2022 for any reference to reporting guidelines and TRIPOD in particular.

Results: In 2017, 205 out of 337 (61%) journals mentioned any reporting guideline in their instructions to authors and in 2022 this increased to 245 (73%) journals. A reference to TRIPOD was provided by 27 (8%) journals in 2017 and 67 (20%) in 2022. Of those journals mentioning TRIPOD in 2022, 22% provided a link to the TRIPOD website and 60% linked to TRIPOD information on the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network website. Twenty-five percent of the journals required adherence to TRIPOD.

Conclusion: About three-quarters of high-impact medical journals endorse the use of reporting guidelines and 20% endorse TRIPOD. Transparent reporting is important in enhancing the usefulness of health research and endorsement by journals plays a critical role in this.

Keywords: Adherence; Endorsement; Implementation; Prediction model; Reporting guideline; TRIPOD.

MeSH terms

Humans
Periodicals as Topic*
Prognosis
Surveys and Questionnaires