Trial sample size, but not trial quality, is associated with positive study outcome

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the reported trial quality or trial characteristics are associated with the trial outcome. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We identified all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of arthroplasty from 1997 and 2006. Trials were classified based on whether the main trial outcome was reported to be positive (n = 90) or negative (n = 94). Multivariable logistic regression analyses studied the association of reporting …