Study finds industry bias in presentation of research outcomes on prostaglandin analogs

Study finds industry bias in presentation of research outcomes on prostaglandin analogs

Researchers used the Medline database to find publications comparing the ocular hypotensive efficacy between any or all of latanoprost, travoprost and bimatoprost. Of the 39 studies identified, 29 were industry funded and 10 were not. Based on the review of a three-person panel of independent observers, the researchers determined that 62 percent of the industry-funded abstract conclusions were inconsistent with the results of the main outcome measure. None of the non-industry-funded studies presented such an inconsistency. Even though just 24 percent of the industry-funded publications had a statistically significant main outcome measure, 90 percent of the industry funded studies had a pro-industry abstract conclusion.

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Read the accompanying editorial from Wallace L.M. Alward, MD, How I choose a prostaglandin analogue.