LEVELS OF EVIDENCE IN ONCOLOGIC-ORTHOPEDIC STUDIES - ACTA ORTOP BRAS (1993-2022).

Abstract

Objectives: to identify oncological-orthopedic studies published in Acta Ortopédica Brasileira over three decades; to classify them according to the type and level of evidence (LE); to observe the inter-rater agreement in the classification of studies; to analyze the studies retrospectively, according to levels of evidence; and to outline the evolution of the evidence in the study period.

Methods: Descriptive analyses were performed with absolute and relative frequencies of studies published between 1993 and 2022. Inter-rater agreement was analyzed by percentage of agreement and Kappa statistic (95%CI). The interpretation of the magnitude of the agreement was performed according to Landis & Koch. The association between classifications and publication period was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. The analyses were performed using the R program (significance of 5%).

Results: 69/1349 papers were selected; there was a significant association between type of study, statistical methodology, and LE with publication period (p < 0.05); inter-rater agreement regarding LE was 92.8%.

Conclusions: Oncological-orthopedic studies accounted for 5.1% of all published papers. Regarding the LE, 80% were NE IV and V studies, despite the evolution observed between the first and last decade (decrease in LE V studies and increase in LE II, III and IV). Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.