Explanation and Elaboration of the Standards of Reporting of Neurological Disorders Checklist: A Guideline for the Reporting of Incidence and Prevalence Studies in Neuroepidemiology
Journal
Neuroepidemiology
ISSN
0251-5350
1423-0208
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Derrick A. Bennett
Carol Brayne
Valery L. Feigin
Suzanne Barker-Collo
Michael Brainin
Daniel Davis
Valentina Gallo
Nathalie Jetté
André Karch
John F. Kurtzke
Giancarlo Logroscino
Gabriele Nagel
Pierre-Marie Preux
Peter M. Rothwell
Lawrence W. Svenson
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Incidence and prevalence studies of neurological disorders play an extremely important role in hypothesis-generation, assessing the burden of disease and planning of health services. However, the assessment of disease estimates is hindered by the poor quality of reporting for such studies. We developed the Standards of Reporting of Neurological Disorders (STROND) guideline in order to improve the quality of reporting of neurological disorders from which prevalence, incidence, and outcomes can be extracted for greater generalisability. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The guideline was developed using a 3-round Delphi technique in order to identify the ‘basic minimum items' important for reporting, as well as some additional ‘ideal reporting items.' An e-consultation process was then used in order to gauge opinion by external neuroepidemiological experts on the appropriateness of the items included in the checklist. <b><i>Findings:</i></b> The resultant 15 items checklist and accompanying recommendations were developed using a similar process and structured in a similar manner to the Strengthening of the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist for ease of use. This paper presents the STROND checklist with an explanation and elaboration for each item, as well as examples of good reporting from the neuroepidemiological literature. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The introduction and use of the STROND checklist should lead to more consistent, transparent and contextualised reporting of descriptive neuroepidemiological studies that should facilitate international comparisons, and lead to more accessible information for multiple stakeholders, ultimately supporting better healthcare decisions for neurological disorders.</jats:p>
Subjects
neuroepidemiology
;
incidence
;
prevalence
;
reporting quality
;
guideline