Transparent reporting of missing outcome data in clinical trials: Applying the general principles of CONSORT 2010

Abstract

CONSORT generally recommends that the abstract consist of a concise and accurate summary of the study methods and findings. The specific CONSORT guidelines for the structured abstract already recommend presenting the number of participants randomised and the number analysed (CONSORT Item 1b).17 When outcome data are missing, however, but statistical strategies are used to include such participants in the analysis, these numbers may be misleading. While the space constraints of the abstract preclude a lengthy discussion of statistical strategies used to address missing data, a brief description as general as 'missing data were addressed using multiple imputation' can help the reader contextualise the study findings and serve as a reminder that important additional details can be found in the full text of the report.