Range and Consistency of Infection Outcomes Reported in Trials Conducted in Kidney Transplant Recipients: a Systematic Review.
Chan, S., et al.Transplantation 2021 [record in progress].
Aims
The aim of this study was to evaluate the scope and consistency of reporting of infection outcomes in contemporary randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in renal transplant recipients.
Interventions
A literature search was conducted on the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register. Study selection was carried out by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the included studies was not assessed.
Participants
102 trials were included in the review.
Outcomes
The main outcomes of interest were infection outcomes and outcome measures used in the included trials.
Follow-up
N/A
CET Conclusions
This review investigates the consistency of reporting of infection outcomes in RCTs in kidney transplantation. The authors included 102 trials, finding 216 unique infection outcomes. Systematic infection and CMV were the most frequently reported outcomes. Reporting of infection outcomes was very variable, with different definitions and timepoints commonly used. Methodology is generally good with clear inclusion criteria and outcome definitions. Data extraction was only completed by a single reviewer with no checking for quality/consistency. No attempt is made to assess the quality of the included studies, although this is perhaps less relevant in a review of this type. The review highlights the need for greater consistency in reporting trial outcomes in this area, and the authors rightly suggest that a core outcome set might be of use. Greater consistency would facilitate comparisons between trials and future systematic review.
Trial registration
N/A