http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ en-us Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:47:11 GMT Silverchair editor@jama.jamanetwork.com webmaster@jama.jamanetwork.com http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1672219 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Nissen SE. <span class="paragraphSection">Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the most robust source of scientific evidence to inform the medical community about the benefits and risks of therapeutic interventions. In recommendations for practitioners, treatment guidelines recognize the special value of RCTs by designating such studies as the highest level of evidence in assessing the efficacy of various therapeutic strategies. However, despite the acknowledged importance of RCTs, all randomized trials are not equivalent in reliability, credibility, and value. Every trial has limitations that can compromise the study's interpretability and undermine the strength of its conclusions. In extreme cases, a poor-quality RCT can lead to important patient and societal harms.</span> 309 12 1293 1294 10.1001/jama.2013.2778 http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1672219