Levels of evidence of therapeutic studies published in the East African Orthopaedic Journal

Abstract

Background: The East African Orthopaedic Journal has published clinical scientific papers since 2007.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the levels of evidence of therapeutic studies published in the journal by using the Journal of Bone  and Joint Surgery-American (JBJS-Am) level-of-evidence rating system.

Methods: All clinical therapeutic studies published in the journal from 2007 to 2023 were reviewed. Historical notes, editorials, cadaveric  studies, case reports and literature reviews were excluded. Therapeutic studies were rated according to the JBJS-Am Level of Evidence  (LOE) grading system as Level I, II, III, IV, or V.

Results: A total of 218 original studies were published in the journal, out of which 65 were therapeutic studies, representing 30% of the  published papers. Level IV studies were the most predominant representing 69% of the therapeutic studies and 21% of the studies  published. Level II studies represented 20% of the therapeutic studies and 6% of studies published. Levels 1 and III studies were the least  predominant, both accounting for 5% and 6% respectively of the therapeutic studies and 1.4% and 1.8% of all the studies respectively.  Level IV studies predominated over the years with little improvement in Level I, II and III studies.

Conclusion: Most studies published in  the East African Orthopaedic Journal are Level IV studies. There has been no significant increase in Level I and II studies since inception of  the journal.