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Journal article : Comment

Improving the completeness and transparency of protocols and reports of randomized trials: SPIRIT 2025 and CONSORT 2025

Abstract:

Objectives

To update SPIRIT 2013 and CONSORT 2010 reporting guidelines.

Methods

For SPIRIT 2025, a comprehensive review process incorporating scoping reviews, expert consultations, and a Delphi survey led to a revised checklist. CONSORT 2025 underwent a similar update, addressing methodological advancements and user feedback gathered through scoping reviews, expert consultations, and a Delphi survey.

Results

Key changes include the addition of two new items, revisions to five, and the deletion or merging of five, alongside a new Open Science section. Emphasis on harm assessment, intervention description, and patient/public involvement has also been strengthened. The SPIRIT 2025 statement provides a 34-item checklist, a schedule diagram, and an expanded checklist with explanations. Similarly, seven new items were added, three revised, and one deleted, with content integrated from existing CONSORT extensions. A new Open Science section was also incorporated. The CONSORT 2025 statement offers a 30-item checklist, a flow diagram, and a detailed explanatory checklist.

Conclusion

Both updated statements and explanatory articles aim to enhance transparency and completeness in trial protocols and reporting. Widespread adoption by investigators, funders, ethics committees, journals, and regulators should improve the quality and usability of research, ultimately benefiting patients and others.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Files:
Publisher copy:
10.1016/j.jclinepi.2025.111792

Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDORMS
Sub department:
Botnar Research Centre
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-6881-6984


Publisher:
Elsevier
Journal:
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology More from this journal
Volume:
182
Article number:
111792
Place of publication:
United States
Publication date:
2025-04-17
Acceptance date:
2025-04-11
DOI:
EISSN:
1878-5921
ISSN:
0895-4356
Pmid:
40252855


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subtype:
Comment
Pubs id:
2119622
Local pid:
pubs:2119622
Deposit date:
2025-07-28
ARK identifier:

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