The level of evidence of articles published in Iranian Endodontic Journal in 3 years (2007, 2012 and 2013)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endodontists have the opportunity to apply relevant research findings to care their patients using the principles and methods of evidence-based treatment. The best level of evidence can be used to inform decisions regarding care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of evidence and study the design of all the articles published in Iranian Endodontic Journal in years 2007, 2012 and 2013.METHODS: We reviewed all articles published in 2007, 2012 and 2013 in the Iranian Endodontic Journal. These articles were classified according to the level of evidence (LOE) using Oxford Scale from 0 to 5 and type of the study. Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher’s exact test. Significant level was set at 0.05.RESULTS: Frequency of articles with LOE was 117, that 5 papers were level 1 (4.2%), 1 level 2 (0.9%), 10 level 3 (8.5%), 1 level 4 (0.9%), and 3 level 5 (2.5%); 97 articles (83.0%) were identified as LOE 0 or non-evidence. Comparison of the LOE of Iranian endodontic journal in 3 years did not reveal statistically significant differences between the published articles (P = 0.14).CONCLUSION: It appears that few high level of evidence-based articles have been achieved in 3 years related to endodontic subjects. Hence, journals, authors, and editors should all cooperate to achieve high-LOE articles.