In this month's Editorial the PLoS Medicine Editors discuss the importance of valid negative results, and their immediate and open availability, in maintaining the integrity of the medical literature, especially when clinical effectiveness is at issue. The Editorial suggests that physicians mindful of Hippocrates's vow "first do no harm" should appreciate that a study "that questions the accepted or desired way of doing things can be at least as important as one that supports a new approach." Given the US movement to undertake comparative effectiveness research (CER)—which calls for a wide range of study designs to "assist consumers, clinicians and policy-makers in making informed decisions"—the Editorial argues for transparency in the design and reporting of all types of research, including data that cast doubt on prevailing practices.
Image Credit: Image adapted from photograph by Tony Fischer, Carpe Diem Photography, at flickr.com
Editorials
Ensuring Integrity in Comparative Effectiveness Research: Accentuate the Negative
PLOS Medicine: published September 29, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000152
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Ghostwriting: The Dirty Little Secret of Medical Publishing That Just Got Bigger
PLOS Medicine: published September 8, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000156
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Essays
Improving the Quantitative Basis of the Surgical Burden in Low-Income Countries
PLOS Medicine: published September 22, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000149
Evaluating eHealth: Undertaking Robust International Cross-Cultural eHealth Research
PLOS Medicine: published September 15, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000105
Perspectives
Grading Quality of Evidence and Strength of Recommendations: A Perspective
PLOS Medicine: published September 15, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000151
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Changing Patterns of Dengue Epidemiology and Implications for Clinical Management and Vaccines
PLOS Medicine: published September 1, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000129
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Inflammatory Markers and Outcomes in Cardiovascular Disease
PLOS Medicine: published September 8, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000147
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Policy Forums
Considering Usual Medical Care in Clinical Trial Design
PLOS Medicine: published September 29, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000111
Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in High HIV Prevalence Settings: What Can Mathematical Modelling Contribute to Informed Decision Making?
PLOS Medicine: published September 8, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000109
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The GRADE System for Rating Clinical Guidelines
PLOS Medicine: published September 15, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000094
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Research in Translation
Should Burden of Disease Estimates Include Cannabis Use as a Risk Factor for Psychosis?
PLOS Medicine: published September 29, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000133
Research Articles
The Impact of the Demographic Transition on Dengue in Thailand: Insights from a Statistical Analysis and Mathematical Modeling
PLOS Medicine: published September 1, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000139
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The Effect of Changing Patterns of Obstetric Care in Scotland (1980–2004) on Rates of Preterm Birth and Its Neonatal Consequences: Perinatal Database Study
PLOS Medicine: published September 22, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000153
Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Hospitalization for Bradycardia: A Population-Based Study
PLOS Medicine: published September 29, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000157
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Trial Publication after Registration in ClinicalTrials.Gov: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
PLOS Medicine: published September 8, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000144
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Effect of Duration and Intermittency of Rifampin on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
PLOS Medicine: published September 15, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000146
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Standardized Treatment of Active Tuberculosis in Patients with Previous Treatment and/or with Mono-resistance to Isoniazid: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
PLOS Medicine: published September 15, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000150
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The Risk of Fractures Associated with Thiazolidinediones: A Self-controlled Case-Series Study
PLOS Medicine: published September 29, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000154
Inflammatory Markers and Poor Outcome after Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study and Systematic Review of Interleukin-6
PLOS Medicine: published September 8, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000145