The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery

The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery

New Level of Evidence Guidelines Change Previously Published Manuscripts’ Designation

Document Type : LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Authors
Anthony V. Christiano
Joseph P. Barbera
Gregory M. Frechette
Stephen R. Selverian
Matthew J. Gluck
Daniel A London
Mount Sinai Health System, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York, NY, USA
10.22038/abjs.2021.57394.2846
Abstract
In 2015, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) updated its level of evidence (LOE) scale. We reviewed all studies published in JBJS in the two years before updating the LOE scale, and re-designated according to the updated scale. Level 4 therapeutic studies were the most common (32%). Level 2 prognostic studies had the greatest number of LOE designation changes (26). Near perfect agreement was met for therapeutic (k:0.96) and diagnostic studies (k:0.96). Prognostic studies demonstrated a lower agreement (k:0.65). Studies published in JBJS before 2015 may have different LOE designations if published today.
Keywords
Level of Evidence
Evidence-Based Medicine, Research Design
  1. Wright JG, Swiontkowski MF, Heckman JD. Introducing 
    levels of evidence to the journal. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 
    2003;85(1):1-3.
  2. Marx RG, Wilson SM, Swiontkowski MF. Updating the 
    assignment of levels of evidence. J Bone Joint Surg 
    Am. 2015;97(1):1-2. 
The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 10, Issue 4
April 2022
Pages 358-359

  • Receive Date 28 April 2021
  • Accept Date 03 August 2021