overview of financial conflict of interest in dermatological studies

[ladycolorado]

Extent and impact of industry sponsorship conflicts of interest in dermatology research
Clifford S. Perlis, MD, Michael Harwood, BS, Roy H. Perlis, MD

Accepted 10 January 2005

Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston, Massachusetts

Background
Many published clinical trials are authored by investigators with financial conflicts of interest. The general medical literature documents the pervasive extent and sometimes problematic impact of these conflicts. Accordingly, there is renewed discussion about author disclosure and clinical trial registry to minimize publication bias from financial conflicts of interest. Despite this evolving discussion in the general medical literature, little is known about the extent or role of financial conflicts of interest in dermatology research.

Objective
Our purpose was to determine the extent and impact of industry sponsorship conflicts of interest in dermatology research.

Methods
We recorded potential financial conflicts of interest, study design, and study outcome in 179 clinical trials published between Oct 1, 2000 and Oct 1, 2003 in four leading dermatology journals.

Results
Forty-three percent of analyzed studies included at least one author with a reported conflict of interest. These studies were more likely to report a positive result, demonstrate higher methodological quality, and include a larger sample size.

Conclusions
Conflict of interest in clinical investigations in dermatology appears to be prevalent and associated with potentially significant differences in study methodology and reporting.

From the Department of Dermatology, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School, and the Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Reprint requests: Roy H. Perlis, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman St WACC 812, Boston, MA 02114.

Funding sources: None.

Disclosure: Dr C. Perlis and Mr Harwood have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr R. Perlis has served on advisory boards for, or received speaker's fees or honoraria from, the following companies: AstraZeneca, BMS, Eli Lilly and Co, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer. Dr R. Perlis has received research support from the following companies: AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Co, and Elan/Eisai; and is supported by an NIMH K23 Career Development Award.

PII: S0190-9622(05)00274-4

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.01.020

© 2005 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.