Relation between prepublication release of clinical trial results and the practice of carotid endarterectomy.

Abstract

Health policymakers, medical journal editors, scientists, and the lay press have debated whether it is in the public's best interest to release the results of clinical trials before the methods and results have been peer-reviewed and published.^1-5 Medical journal editors usually prohibit widespread dissemination of clinical trial results until a manuscript is published, emphasizing the importance of the peer-review process.^1,6 This ensures that clinicians, patients, and researchers have nearly simultaneous access to pertinent information, such as the characteristics of the trial participants, the nature of the intervention, and the setting in which it was applied.⁵