[Statistical analyses in the Revista Clínica Española: their actual use and accessibility for the reader].

BACKGROUND

In the original articles published in Revista Clínica Española in 1994 and 1995, the use frequency of different statistical analyses is reported, the statistical repertoire necessary for the reader to interpret statistical methods determined, and results are compared with those found in similar studies.

METHODS

Ninety-one original articles were reviewed. Statistical procedures were classified into 18 hierarchical categories and the statistical accessibility to the reader was quantitated assuming the knowledge up to a determined category (basic course in biostatistics) as reference level.

RESULTS

The five categories used most frequently were Bivariate contingency tables (56%), t and z tests (42%), at the most descriptive statistics (23%), Epidemiological statistics (22%) and Non parametric tests (20%). Sixty-eight percent of original articles in Revista Clínica Española were statistically accessible to the reader with a basic knowledge on statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

To have access to a considerable percentage of originals in this and other similar medical journals, the reader of Revista Clínica Española does no need to manage a statistical repertoire higher than a basic course in biostatistics. On the other hand, the reader is advised to deepen his/her knowledge on the design of an investigational study.