- Measurement differences explain much of the variation in adherence and persistence after ischemic stroke, and standardized estimates are lower: a systematic review with meta-regression. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 22; :112571. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of the heterogeneity reported in medication adherence and persistence after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack appears to be attributable to methodological non-equivalence in how these outcomes are defined and measured. When evaluated within a standardized framework, suboptimal medication continuation appears more common than conventional pooled estimates indicate. Meaningful surveillance and benchmarking require longitudinal, standardized, and transparent measures of medication continuation rather than reliance on discharge prescribing alone.
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- When Clinical Prediction Models Meet Clinical Judgment: A Framework for Classifying Prediction Approaches. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 20; :112572. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: The prediction accuracy achieved in practice depends on how physicians use clinical prediction models. Greater recognition and use of the proposed framework can improve future research by properly classifying prediction approaches, fostering more accurate research syntheses, and supporting the more effective and fair application of clinical prediction models in practice.
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- Appraisal of Recent Intervention-Focused Umbrella Reviews Reveals Major Methodological Weaknesses: A Meta-Epidemiological Study. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 19; :112569. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: We identified multiple methodological weaknesses in recent URs of interventions. Existing assessment tools appear only partially fit for purpose to assess the quality of the URs. Adherence to available guidance during the conduct and reporting of these recent URs is poor.
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- Systematic, contextual, and individual influences drive trialists' behaviour relating to greener trial design and delivery - A qualitative study. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 19; :112568. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an in-depth theory-informed behavioural analysis of the challenges and opportunities for making clinical trials greener. These findings provide a basis for designing behaviour change strategies to support trialists' adoption of greener trials.
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- Validation studies of ICD-10 diagnostic codes for identifying common causes of hospitalization: a scoping review. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 17; :112570. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: Validation studies of ICD-10-coded diagnoses are highly heterogeneous in design and reporting, limiting direct comparison across studies. Many rely on designs that only estimate positive predictive value and therefore provide incomplete assessments of validity. Standardized, population-based validation studies measuring both sensitivity and specificity are needed to improve the reliability and reproducibility of administrative health data for epidemiologic research, surveillance, and quality improvement.
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- Identifying the behavioural determinants of trialists for the design and delivery of greener trials - A cross-sectional survey study. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 17; :112567. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated trialists' perspectives on the design and delivery of greener trials through a behavioural lens. Our findings highlight key behavioural determinants that could be targets for future intervention development. In addition, our results demonstrate the range of actors and actions that are important in the clinical trial ecosystem to ensure greener trials become routine. Behavioural models offer valuable insights for guiding the development of relevant strategies for change.
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- Flipping death-to-survival event coding shifted pooled risk ratios and GRADE imprecision ratings in 2,071 Cochrane meta-analyses. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 15; :112553. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: Flipping the event coding of death or survival outcomes changed risk ratio results and GRADE imprecision judgments considerably, especially in sparse or small meta-analyses. Systematic reviewers should use odds ratios instead of risk ratios when primary studies did not originally use a consistent event coding.
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- A critical review of clinical prediction models in oncology: is this SEERious research? [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 15; :112566. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: Access to data alone does not justify model development. Most prediction models developed using SEER lack a clearly reported rationale, defined target population, an intended clinical purpose, and fail to address whether the models produced with the SEER data are appropriate for populations outside the United States. Readers should treat SEER-based prediction model studies with appropriate scepticism until evidence of rigorous methodology and clinical relevance is demonstrated. Many studies have limited scientific value and exhibit hallmarks of formulaic research created solely to boost researcher's resumé. Journals, peer reviewers, and data custodians all have a responsibility to ensure high research standards for studies exploiting widely available datasets, as the growing volume of such output places editorial and peer review systems under increasing strain.
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- Reporting of Financial Relationships in Primary Studies Included in Systematic Reviews of Interventions for Common Diagnoses. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 15; :112565. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: Financial COI in RCTs were not reported in this sample of clinically relevant SRs, and funding information was also inadequately reported. This methodological shortcoming hinders readers' ability to fully assess the findings of the SRs.
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- Development and internal validation of the NOTICE assessment as a non-biological measure of prenatal nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis use and exposure. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 14; :112552. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: NOTICE is a low-burden behavioural assessment that demonstrates strong criterion-based alignment with established biochemical reference standards for measuring tobacco, nicotine and cannabis use and exposure during pregnancy. By integrating active use and environmental exposure across products and timeframes, the tool supports repeated measurement and surveillance of exposure patterns in settings where routine biological testing is impractical.
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- Manuscript peer review lacks an empirically derived definition: a scoping review of 139 sources identifies 37 characteristics. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 12; :112550. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: This analysis identified a set of potential characteristics of manuscript peer review from empirical sources. These characteristics will be presented to Delphi study participants to support the development of a consensus definition of peer review. Achieving consensus in this area is expected to improve conceptual clarity, facilitate more consistent evaluation and comparison of peer review across fields, and inform future efforts to strengthen transparency and reform in scholarly publishing.
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- Barriers and Strategies for Inclusive Clinical Trials: Focus Group Insights on Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 09; :112551. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study identifies structural, relational, and operational factors that shape inclusive trial participation and provides context-informed priorities for an IDEA toolkit. The findings are not intended to represent all underserved communities, but they offer practical lessons that can be adapted across trial settings.
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- Certainty may remain the best term for GRADE evidence ratings despite conceptual limitations: a commentary. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 08; :112549. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of a superior alternative, certainty may remain the most practical term because it is established in guidance, teaching, software, and practice. It should be defined as an ordered judgment about support for a specified inference, not as proof.
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- Silent exclusion in clinical trials: when managing delivery risk works against inclusion. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 07; :112547. [Online ahead of print]JC
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- SERIES: Living Evidence Syntheses in Practice: Methodology, Standards, dissemination and publication challenges. Paper 2. Evaluating Methodological Compliance and Reporting Standards. [Journal Article]J Clin Epidemiol. 2026 Oct 06; :112546. [Online ahead of print]JC
- CONCLUSIONS: Despite growing adoption of the living evidence approach, substantial gaps remain in implementing and reporting living-specific standards. Update triggers, surveillance strategies, discontinuation criteria, and version control were frequently underreported, with PRISMA-LSR compliance declining over successive updates.
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