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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

To the Editor: In their study evaluating the degree of consistency between meeting abstract and subsequent full-length journal article, Dr Toma and colleagues¹ found discrepancies between the efficacy estimate for the primary outcome in 60 (41%) of the 148 randomized controlled trials. This highlights the need for scrutiny of the quality of information from randomized controlled trials.

There is another often neglected issue: the percentage of patients meeting inclusion criteria who actually entered randomization.² This important index tells a lot about the design and conduct of randomized controlled trials. While it is rare for all eligible patients to be willing to participate in a randomized trial, if the percentage is too low it raises questions about why so many patients would decline to join. Did they or their physicians feel the risk-benefit ratio of joining this trial was unfavorable? Were only those who were most likely to benefit from the . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Chi-Tai Fang, MD, PhD
fangct@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Department of Medical Research
National Taiwan University Hospital

Loreen Y. L. Huang, MD
Institute of Preventive Medicine
College of Public Health
National Taiwan University
Taipei, Taiwan

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