HOW TO REPORT OUTCOMES IN CLINICAL DENTAL RESEARCH

Abstract

Outcomes, also known as endpoints, are a critical component in clinical research evaluating the effects of healthcare interventions. The validity of a clinical study depends on the appropriate selection and usage of outcomes. Therefore, complete, accurate, and transparent reporting of outcomes is essential for the critical appraisal of a study's methods and findings. However, empirical research has shown that the reporting of outcomes is often incomplete and selective in clinical dental research, hindering evidence synthesis and evidence-based dental practice. To improve and standardize outcome reporting, reporting guidelines that provide specific guidance for all types of outcomes, namely the SPIRIT-Outcomes 2022 and CONSORT-Outcomes 2022, have been developed and released recently. In addition, reporting guidelines for certain types of outcomes have also been published, including harms, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and surrogate outcomes. The present article describes common classifications of outcomes, current issues in outcome reporting, and using reporting guidelines to standardize and improve outcome reporting in clinical dental research. The role of core outcome sets in outcome reporting is also discussed. This article aims to provide guidance and suggestions to help improve the completeness and transparency of outcome reporting and reduce relevant research waste in clinical dental research.