Level of evidence of clinical orthopedic surgery research in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Asim M. Makhdom, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tel. +1 (514) 2828259. Fax. +1 (514) 2828258. E-mail: makhdomas{at}hotmail.com
• Saad M. AlQahtani, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tel. +1 (514) 2828259. Fax. +1 (514) 2828258. E-mail: makhdomas{at}hotmail.com
• Khalid A. Alsheikh, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tel. +1 (514) 2828259. Fax. +1 (514) 2828258. E-mail: makhdomas{at}hotmail.com
• Osama A. Samargandi, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tel. +1 (514) 2828259. Fax. +1 (514) 2828258. E-mail: makhdomas{at}hotmail.com
• Neil Saran, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tel. +1 (514) 2828259. Fax. +1 (514) 2828258. E-mail: makhdomas{at}hotmail.com

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the level of evidence (LOE) of Saudi clinical orthopedic research. METHODS: In July 2012, a list of Saudi orthopedic surgeons (N=93) affiliated with all major universities and hospitals in Saudi Arabia were obtained. PubMed and Embase searches were performed for all eligible studies over the last 2 decades (August 1991 to May 2012). The Oxford LOE scale was utilized to determine the LOE of these studies (Level V studies were excluded). The LOE trends were compared between the last 2 decades. In addition, the LOE of Saudi orthopedic studies was compared with North American studies. RESULTS: Of 251 articles, 159 met the inclusion criteria for the LOE evaluation. Most of the published studies are Level IV (86%). The average level of evidence was 3.75. There was no statistically significant difference when we compared the LOE trend between the last 2 decades. North American studies contained higher proportions of high-level studies when compared to Saudi studies (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the published studies are low LOE. Academic staff, institutions, and training programs are required to develop research strategies to improve orthopedic research quality in Saudi Arabia.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

395

Last Page

400

Recommended Citation

Makhdom, Asim M.; AlQahtani, Saad M.; Alsheikh, Khalid A.; Samargandi, Osama A.; and Saran, Neil (2013) "Level of evidence of clinical orthopedic surgery research in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 34: Iss. 4, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.5741