A PRISMA assessment of reporting the quality of published dental systematic reviews in Iran, up to 2017

BACKGROUND and AIM: Proper scientific reporting is necessary to ensure correct interpretation of study results by readers. Systematic reviews (SRs) are of critical importance in evidence-based dentistry. This study assessed the reporting quality of published dental SRs in Iran. METHODS: The PubMed and ISI electronic databases were searched to collect published Iranian dental SRs up to the end of 2016. A 17-item checklist, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Statement, was used to analyze the completeness of SRs reporting. RESULTS: 42 SRs were included in this study. The majority were published in the two fields of endodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery (38.0%). The mean overall reporting quality score was 18.48 ± 5.03 out of 30 for meta-analyses and 24 for SRs. Inadequate reporting of PICO question (Problem/Patient/Population, Intervention/Indicator, Comparison, Outcome) (73.8%), level of strength (57.1%), and financial supporter (52.4%) were observed. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the reporting quality of Iranian dental SRs should be further improved.