Reported Outcomes in Major Cardiovascular Clinical Trials Funded by For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Organizations: 2000-2005

Abstract

Surveys of randomized trials published between 1990 and 2000 raised awareness in the medical community that trials funded by for-profit organizations were more likely to report positive findings than those funded by not-for-profit organizations.^1-8 As a group, these surveys raised questions regarding the design and conduct of industry-funded clinical trials^9-11 as well as ethical concerns about potential violations of clinical equipoise.^12-15 Partly in response to these concerns, recommendations have been made to improve academic oversight in industry-sponsored research^16,17 and to ensure registration and publication of all clinical trials.^18,19