Summary
This paper describes the development and rationale of STROBE-MR, a 20-item reporting checklist designed to improve the quality and consistency of Mendelian randomisation (MR) studies in observational epidemiology. The authors address a recognised problem: inconsistent and often inadequate reporting of MR studies, including incomplete documentation of assumptions and data sources. The checklist is intended for use by MR study authors, peer reviewers, and journal editors to enhance transparency and rigour in this methodological approach to causal inference.
UK applicability
The STROBE-MR checklist is directly applicable to UK-based epidemiological research using Mendelian randomisation methods, particularly those leveraging UK biobank data. Adoption by UK research institutions, journals, and funders could standardise reporting quality across UK epidemiological publications.
Key measures
STROBE-MR checklist items; reporting quality and transparency metrics for Mendelian randomisation studies
Outcomes reported
The paper presents a 20-item reporting checklist (STROBE-MR) designed to standardise the communication of Mendelian randomisation studies in observational epidemiology. It explains the rationale behind each checklist item and provides examples of transparent reporting practices.
Topic tags
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