[Disclosure of financial sources and conflicts of interest among research articles published in Revista Médica de Chile].

BACKGROUND

Financial relationships between the industry and researchers have raised concerns about the existence of conflicts of interest that could influence the scientific validity of the studies.

AIM

To determine the financial sources of research articles published in the Revista Médica de Chile during a five-year period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of all articles classified as research articles, published in this journal between years 2001-2005, identifying the funding source and the existence of a declaration of conflicts of interest by the authors.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventeen out of 519 research articles published in the period (42%) had an explicit financial source disclosed. Of these, 28% were funded by internal sources, 36% by Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico and 36% by other sources. Twenty-six studies (5%) received funding from the industry. In only five of these, the authors explicity declared the absence of conflict of interest. Among the studies that did not disclose any financial source, one third required some funding to be carried out.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty two percent of research articles published in the last five years did not specify the financial source. Those that did specify a funding source were mainly supported by non-profit agencies including university centers and governmental funds. This is in contrast with international reports that evidence an important financial support from the industry. Only a minority of the authors sponsored by the industry declared absence of conflict of interest.