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Friday, September 16, 2011

Quality of A Clinical Trial: Jadad Score

When we read a clinical trial publication, maybe we are asking several questions. One of them, is: how good is this trial's quality? That is the purpose of using Jadad scoring system. This scoring system includes three points: randomization, blinding, and withdrawal/dropout.




For your knowledge, this is how Jadad score is determined.
1. Was the study described as randomized? (If the answer is yes, give 1 point. If the answer is no, give no point)
2. Was the study described as double blind? (If the answer is yes, give 1 point. If the answer is no, give no point)
3. Was there a description/definition about withdrawals and dropout? (If the answer is yes, give 1 point, proceed to question 4. If the answer is no, give no point, stop here)
4. Was the method of randomization described in the paper appropriately? (If the answer is yes, give 1 point. If the answer is no, give -1 point)
5. Was the method of blinding described appropriately? (If the answer is yes, give 1 point. If the answer is no, give -1 point)

A paper should have Jadad score as high as possible. The maximum score is 5. To determine a clinical trial as "having a good quality" and to make them qualify to be included in meta-analysis, a clinical trial must have Jadad score at least of 3. But it depends on the scientist himself, because how high or low Jadad score's cutoff depends on that corresponding scientist.

References:
Jadad AR et al. Control Clin Trials 1996; 17 (1): 1-12

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