Table 2

Study measures


(N = 20)



n
(%)
1. Was the study valid?


Yes
15
(75)
No
5
(25)
2. Was the study funded by a pharmaceutical company?


Yes
16
(80)
No
1
(5)
Unknown
3
(15)
3. What was the study outcome?


Patient-oriented
12
(60)
Disease-oriented
8
(40)
4. What was the study therapy compared to?


Another medication or therapy
8
(40)
Placebo
10
(50)
Neither
2
(10)
5. Was a graphic* used on the brochure?


Yes
19
(95)
No
1
(5)
6. Of the brochures with graphics, how was the data presented?


Relative risk reduction
4
(21)
Absolute risk reduction
1
(5)
Other**
14
(74)
7. Was the outcome of interest statistically significant?***


Yes
19
(95)
No
1
(5)
8. Did the data on the brochure differ from the underlying study?


Yes
3
(15)
No
17
(85)

*Includes bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, arrows

**Includes mean change, point differences, etc

***p < 0.05

Cardarelli et al. BMC Family Practice 2006 7:13   doi:10.1186/1471-2296-7-13