LETTER
Where's the Bias?
Leo E. Hollister, MD
1 January 1998 | Volume 128 Issue 1 | Page 75
TO THE EDITOR:
Dr. Davidoff's editorial, "Where's the Bias?" [1], describes a reasonable approach to increasing problems of bias and conflict of interest in medical publications. It is essentially a plea for common sense.
I recently submitted a review paper to a highly respected journal. As was the requirement for submission, I indicated in the cover letter that I was unaware of any possible conflicts or bias. The journal seemed to be impressed enough with the paper to make inquiries about the completeness of a couple of references, as well as a suggestion to reduce the length. After the revision was submitted, the editors sent it to the section editor for more review. This editor once again required a statement of any possible sources of bias. I had mentioned several antiemetic drugs in the review, only one of which was still proprietary. By this time, I realized that I had a modest number of shares in the company selling this drug, a fact that I candidly admitted. The result was that the paper was summarily rejected. If such a holier-than-thou attitude prevails, it will soon be impossible to publish anything. I recommend Dr. Davidoff's editorial to the editors of the punctilious journal.
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Author and Article Information
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University of Texas Medical School; Houston, TX 77225
1. Davidoff F. Where's the bias? [Editorial] Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:986-8.
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