Statistical Accuracy in Rheumatology Research

Science and related research activities are always subject to errors. Statistical accuracy is necessary in order to overcome erroneous researching and reporting practices. The present article aimed to review the current literature on statistical errors in clinical medicine articles, and to provide rheumatologists with basic recommendations regarding the use of common statistical methods in research articles. With this purpose, PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases were searched by using relevant keywords. Data so far indicate that statistical errors are common in published articles from several disciplines of medicine. Statistics is the key element of any research activity, thus, implementing statistics at each step (hypothesis development, study design, sampling/data collection, data analysis, presentation) of every research is mandatory. In this regard, awareness of common statistical errors, basic knowledge on statistical methodology and consulting an expert in biostatistics from the beginning of the research process would be of value for rheumatologists.