The CROWN Initiative: journal editors invite researchers to develop core outcomes in women's health
Year: 2014
Type: editorial
Abstract: Clinical trials, systematic reviews and guidelines evaluate interventions by comparing beneficial and non-beneficial outcomes.Often, however, various studies of a particular topic do not address the same outcomes, making it difficult to draw clinically useful conclusions when a group of studies is looked at as a whole (1).This problem was recently thrown into sharp focus by a systematic review of interventions for preterm birth prevention, which found that among 103 randomised trials, no fewer than 72 different outcomes were reported (2).There is a growing recognition among clinical researchers that this variability undermines consistent synthesis of the evidence, and that what is needed is an agreed standardised collection of outcomes,a "core outcomes set",for all trials in a specific clinical area (1).Recognising that the current inconsistency is a serious hindrance to progress in our specialty, the editors of 54 gynecologic-obstetric and related journals have come together to support The CROWN (CoRe Outcomes in WomeN's health) Initiative (Table 1).Development of consensus is required around a set of well-defined, relevant and feasible outcomes for all trials concerning particular obstetric-gynaecologic health conditions, such as preterm birth, incontinence, infertility and menstrual problems.With so many subspecialties involved, this is no easy task.Duplication of effort can be avoided by working with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Initiative, which is working towards core data sets for all medical specialties (3).Production of trustworthy core outcome sets will require engagement with patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, industry and regulators, and the employment of scientifically robust consensus methods (1).The data for these core outcome sets, once agreed upon, should be collected in trials and reported in publications as standard practice in the future.Journal editors now invite researchers to take the lead in beginning this work.What will we do as editors to support them and their colleagues?First, we are drawing wide attention to The CROWN Initiative by publishing this editorial simultaneously in the journals listed below, and making it free to view whenever possible.We shall ensure
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12406
Authors: Reynir Tómas Geirsson, Khalid Khan
Institution: Sahlgrenska University Hospital
Language: English
Topic: Delphi Technique in Research
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2047334156