“We used standard Cochrane methods” – observational study on reporting according to PRISMA-A in Cochrane review abstracts between 2016 and 2023

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate reporting of abstracts of Cochrane reviews (CRs) according to PRISMA-A over the last years and trends in reporting the use of standard Cochrane methods and GRADE.

Study Design and Setting

This was a retrospective, observational study based on eligible CRs indexed in MEDLINE (via PubMed) from 2016 to 2023. Stratified random sample with a total of 520 abstracts was drawn and 489 CRs on effectiveness were included. PRISMA-A adherence, reporting use of standard methods, and GRADE were extracted by two reviewers independently. Data were analyzed descriptively and stratified by publication year and reporting of standard methods.

Results

Mean score of fully reported PRISMA-A items ranged from 6.9 to 7.2 out of 12 between 2016 and 2023, whereas abstract length increased from a median of 686 to 866 words, particularly in the results section. Over the years, reporting that standard methods were used increased from 27.4% to 53.2% and for GRADE from 30.7% to 74.2%. Abstracts reporting the use of standard methods more often adhere to individual PRISMA-A items on results and less often on methods with no differences in overall PRISMA-A adherence.

Conclusion

PRISMA-A adherence in CR abstracts has remained unchanged over the years, with reporting more information on results than methods. This conflicts with PRISMA-A, which recommends specifying the methods used, forms the basis for reporting abstracts in the Cochrane Handbook since August 2023. Therefore, Cochrane authors and editors should closely monitor the reporting whether standard methods were used.