The undisclosed disclosures: The dollar-outcome relationship in resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta

Abstract

BACKGROUND Despite its rapid evolution, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) remains a controversial intervention that continues to generate active research. Proper conflict of interest (COI) disclosure helps to ensure that research is conducted objectively, without bias. We aimed to identify the accuracy of COI disclosures in REBOA research. METHODS Literature search was performed using the keyword “REBOA” on PubMed. Studies on REBOA with at least one American author published between 2017 and 2022 were identified. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Open Payments database was used to extract information regarding payments to the authors from the industry. This was compared with the COI section reported in the manuscripts. Conflict of interest disclosure was defined as inaccurate if the authors failed to disclose any amount of money received from the industry. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS We reviewed a total of 524 articles, of which 288 articles met the inclusion criteria. At least one author received payments in 57% (165) of the articles. Overall, 59 authors had a history of payment from the industry. Conflict of interest disclosure was inaccurate in 88% (145) of the articles where the authors received payment. CONCLUSION Conflict of interest reports are highly inaccurate in REBOA studies. There needs to be standardization of reporting of conflicts of interest to avoid potential bias. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.