Is clustering accounted for in studies published in periodontology and oral implantology specialty journals?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Is clustering accounted for in studies published in periodontology and oral implantology specialty journals?

AU - Lempesi, Evangelia

AU - Pandis, Nikolaos

AU - Faggion, Clovis

AU - Seehra, Jadbinder

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 American Academy of Periodontology.

PY - 2023/8

Y1 - 2023/8

N2 - Background: Clustering effects can be encountered in periodontology and implant dentistry research. The aim of this study was to identify studies with clustering effects published in periodontology and oral implantology specialty journals and to assess the frequency by which clustered designs are correctly accounted for in the statistical analysis. Methods: Ten periodontology and oral implantology journals were searched to identify studies with clustering effects published between January 1, 2019 and July 31, 2021. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were calculated. Associations between the correct statistical handling of clustering effects and study characteristics were explored. Results: A total of 695 studies were included of which 45.0% correctly accounted for clustering effects in the statistical analysis. Certain journals (p < 0.01) and animal studies (p < 0.01) had lower odds of correctly accounting for clustering effects in the statistical analysis, whereas per unit increase in impact factor (p < 0.001), involvement of statistician (p < 0.001) and when the study design included either repeated measures only (p < 0.01) or both clustering and repeated measures (p < 0.001) had higher odds. The most commonly used tests were the mixed models or generalized estimating equations (64.2%). Conclusions: Greater awareness of the importance of accounting for clustering effects is required to prevent incorrect inferences being drawn. Incorrect inferences are related to lack of data independence and the artificial inflation of the sample size which can result in statistically significant results which are not genuine. This issue can be further exaggerated in combination with publication bias.

AB - Background: Clustering effects can be encountered in periodontology and implant dentistry research. The aim of this study was to identify studies with clustering effects published in periodontology and oral implantology specialty journals and to assess the frequency by which clustered designs are correctly accounted for in the statistical analysis. Methods: Ten periodontology and oral implantology journals were searched to identify studies with clustering effects published between January 1, 2019 and July 31, 2021. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were calculated. Associations between the correct statistical handling of clustering effects and study characteristics were explored. Results: A total of 695 studies were included of which 45.0% correctly accounted for clustering effects in the statistical analysis. Certain journals (p < 0.01) and animal studies (p < 0.01) had lower odds of correctly accounting for clustering effects in the statistical analysis, whereas per unit increase in impact factor (p < 0.001), involvement of statistician (p < 0.001) and when the study design included either repeated measures only (p < 0.01) or both clustering and repeated measures (p < 0.001) had higher odds. The most commonly used tests were the mixed models or generalized estimating equations (64.2%). Conclusions: Greater awareness of the importance of accounting for clustering effects is required to prevent incorrect inferences being drawn. Incorrect inferences are related to lack of data independence and the artificial inflation of the sample size which can result in statistically significant results which are not genuine. This issue can be further exaggerated in combination with publication bias.

KW - clustering

KW - journals

KW - oral implantology

KW - periodontology

KW - statistical analysis

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85150523883&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/JPER.22-0653

DO - 10.1002/JPER.22-0653

M3 - Article

C2 - 36799353

AN - SCOPUS:85150523883

SN - 0022-3492

VL - 94

SP - 967

EP - 975

JO - Journal of Periodontology

JF - Journal of Periodontology

IS - 8

ER -