Comprehensive analysis of participant characteristics in clinical trials on patellar tendinopathy: A systematic review

Abstract

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been developed to identify effective treatment approaches for patellar tendinopathy (PT). However, descriptions of study participants often lack clarity, which complicates clinicians' ability to determine if the results are applicable to their patients. Recently, the International Tendinopathy Consensus (ICON-T) established recommendations on participant characteristics that should be reported in RCTs on tendinopathies. This review aims to assess the comprehensiveness of participant information reporting in RCTs involving individuals with PT. A systematic review was conducted in electronic databases up to January 2024, targeting RCTs that included individuals with PT. The quality of participant information reporting was evaluated using a scale based on ICON-T recommendations. Pearson's correlation test was utilized to explore the relationship between the publication year and the quality of reporting. Forty-three RCTs were reviewed, involving 1647 participants (1244 men, average age 28.35 ± 4.28 years). The studies' average score on the quality reporting scale was 10.16 ± 2.37 (range 6–15 points) out of a possible 16 points. The most frequently omitted details were medication usage and comorbidity presence. There was a significant correlation between publication year and report quality (r = 0.349; p = 0.024). In conclusion, RCTs involving PT subjects often have heterogeneous inclusion criteria and incomplete participant information, potentially confusing researchers and clinicians about the effectiveness of different PT treatments. However, the situation has improved following the ICON-T publication, enhancing the quality of reports.