Guidelines for Composing and Assessing a Paper on the Treatment of Pain: A Practical Application of Evidence-Based Medicine Principles to the Mint Randomized Clinical Trials. Issue 11 (20th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCormick, Zachary L; Vorobeychik, Yakov; Gill, Jatinder S; Kao, Ming-Chih J; Duszynski, Belinda; Smuck, Matthew; Stojanovic, Milan P
• Is Part Of: Pain medicine. Volume 19:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 2127
• Page End: 2137
• Publication Date: 2018-03-20
• Subjects: Radiofrequency Neurotomy -- Chronic Low Back Pain -- Sacroiliac Joint -- Zygapophysial Joint -- Evidence-Based Medicine -- Facet Joint; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Analgesics -- Periodicals; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain Management -- Periodicals; Douleur -- Périodiques; Douleur -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Analgésiques -- Périodiques; Analgésique; Soulagement de la douleur; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.047205
• DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-2375

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To perform a thorough assessment of the recently published Mint Trials in order to illustrate how to read and analyze a study critically, according to principles of evidence-based medicine. Design: Narrative review. Method: We have applied the recently published guidelines for composing and assessing studies on the treatment of pain to a recently published article describing a large study that claimed its "findings do not support the use of radiofrequency denervation to treat chronic low back pain." These guidelines describe the critical components of a high-quality manuscript that allows communication of all relevant information from authors to readers. Results: Application of evidence-based medicine principles to the publication describing the Mint Trials reveals significant issues with the methodology and conclusions drawn by the authors. A thorough assessment demonstrates issues with inclusion/exclusion criteria, diagnostic block protocols, radiofrequency neurotomy technique, co-interventions, outcome measurement, power analysis, study sample characteristics, data analysis, and loss to follow-up. A failure to definitively establish a diagnosis, combined with use of an inadequate technique for radiofrequency neurotomy and numerous other methodological flaws, leaves the reader unable to draw meaningful conclusions from the study data. Conclusions: Critical analysis, rooted in principles of evidence-based medicine, must be employed by writers and readers alike in order to encourage transparency and ensure that appropriate conclusions are drawn from study data.