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The best evidence on the efficacy of medical interventions comes from well-conducted, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but unless such trials are reported adequately, it is impossible to assess that information. In response to increasing evidence that reporting of RCTs is imperfect, there has been a concerted effort to set standards for reporting RCTs, the process described by Begg et al1in this issue ofTHE Journal. See also p 637. In December 1994,JAMApublished the Standards of Reporting Trials (SORT) statement.2We followed this with the publication of a trial using all the SORT headings.3In an accompanying Editorial,4I called for the SORT group to agree on common standards with another group that had met in Asilomar.5Representatives of both groups were brought together by David Moher, MSc, of the University of Ottawa. Their discussions were informed by comments from readers, many of
D. Rennie (Wed,) studied this question.