Outcome reporting across randomized trials and observational studies evaluating treatments for twin–twin transfusion syndrome: systematic review

Journal article

Objective

Twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Potential treatments for the condition require robust evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome reporting across observational studies and randomized controlled trials assessing treatments for TTTS.

Methods

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched from inception to August 2016. Observational studies and randomized controlled trials reporting outcome following treatment for TTTS in monochorionic–diamniotic twin pregnancy and monochorionic–triamniotic or dichorionic–triamniotic triplet pregnancy were included. Outcome reporting was systematically extracted and categorized.

Six randomized trials and 94 observational studies were included, reporting data from 20 071 maternal participants and 3199 children. Six different treatments were evaluated. Included studies reported 62 different outcomes, including six fetal, seven offspring mortality, 25 neonatal, six early childhood and 18 maternal/operative outcomes. Outcomes were reported inconsistently across trials. For example, when considering offspring mortality, 31 (31%) studies reported live birth, 31 (31%) reported intrauterine death, 49 (49%) reported neonatal mortality and 17 (17%) reported perinatal mortality. Four (4%) studies reported respiratory distress syndrome. Only 19 (19%) studies were designed for long‐term follow‐up and 11 (11%) of these reported cerebral palsy.

Conclusions

Studies evaluating treatments for TTTS have often neglected to report clinically important outcomes, especially neonatal morbidity outcomes, and most are not designed for long‐term follow‐up. The development of a core outcome set could help standardize outcome collection and reporting in TTTS studies.

Authors: Perry, H; Duffy, J; Umadia, O; Khalil, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 577-585
• Publication date: 2018-04-01
• Acceptance date: 2018-03-21
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.19068
• EISSN: 1469-0705
• ISSN: 0960-7692
• Keywords: outcome reporting bias; core outcome set; Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome; systematic review