A PRISMA assessment of reporting the quality of published dental systematic reviews in Iran, up to 2017

Proper scientific reporting is necessary to ensure correct interpretation of study results by readers. Systematic reviews (SRs) are of critical importance in evidence-based dentistry. This study assessed the reporting quality of published dental SRs in Iran. The PubMed and ISI electronic databases were searched to collect published Iranian dental SRs up to the end of 2016. A 17-item checklist, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Statement, was used to analyze the completeness of SRs reporting. 42 SRs were included in this study. The majority were published in the two fields of endodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery (38.0%). The mean overall reporting quality score was 18.48 ± 5.03 out of 30 for meta-analyses and 24 for SRs. Inadequate reporting of PICO question (Problem/Patient/Population, Intervention/Indicator, Comparison, Outcome) (73.8%), level of strength (57.1%), and financial supporter (52.4%) were observed. The results of this study suggest that the reporting quality of Iranian dental SRs should be further improved.