Quality of Antidepressant Drugs Research Articles Published in Indian Medical Journals

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Quality of methodological and statistical parameters published in various Indian Medical Journals are usually debated in terms of appropriateness. Aim of this manuscript is to analyze and validate efficacy studies on antidepressant drugs published in Indian Medical Journals regarding quality of various methodological and statistical parameters used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in-depth review of Efficacy studies on Antidepressant published in Indian Medical Journals was conducted. Articles were retrieved from all possible sources like Published Journals, downloaded through Pubmed, MedInd, Opengate, Medknow, and Cochrane. These studies were analyzed and validated for various methodological and statistical parameters. Descriptive statistics for various parameters with confidence interval (CI) is also reported herewith. RESULTS: Of 32 articles reviewed, primary and secondary endpoints and sample size calculation was reported in only one article (3.1%; 95% CI, 0.5 to 15.7%). Power and CI was not reported in any of the reviewed articles. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were reported in 9 (28.3%; 95% CI, 15.5 to 45.3%) articles. Information regarding randomization was mentioned in 12 (37.5%; 95% CI, 22.9 to 54.7%) articles, whereas reporting of blinding or open label status of the study was mentioned in 21 (65.6%; 95% CI, 48.3 to 79.5%) articles. Assumptions of statistical tests were not reported in any of the reviewed articles. Statistical tests were used in only 14 (43.7%; 95% CI, 28.1 to 60.6%) articles of which 70% of were inappropriate. All studies were underpowered for small and medium effect size. CONCLUSION: Quality of reporting of methodological and statistical aspects of antidepressant efficacy studies published in Indian medical journals are poor and hence makes difficult to conclude on issues related to validity of these studies.