Guidelines for Reporting Oral Epidemiologic Studies to Inform Burden Estimation (GROESBE).

Abstract

High-quality prevalence and incidence studies of oral conditions are essential for estimation of disease burden and comparison of estimates among countries and over time, as well as for priority setting, resource allocation, and planning public health action. Existing systematic reviews of the epidemiology of untreated dental caries, severe periodontitis, and edentulism, carried out for the Global Burden of Disease study, showed inadequate and incomplete reporting of the measurement of oral conditions as well as a lack of consistency and comparability with other health conditions. These issues are more accentuated in studies from low- and middle-income countries. Studies must meet the highest standards so that these efforts do not waste resources. This report extends the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines to improve and standardize the reporting of descriptive oral epidemiologic studies of common oral conditions. The aim of the Guidelines for Reporting Oral Epidemiologic Studies to Inform Burden Estimation (GROESBE) is to promote transparency, clarity, and comparability of scientific reporting, specifically for prevalence and incidence studies of untreated caries, severe periodontitis, and edentulism. The GROESBE guidelines and checklist were developed following a structured and formal consultation process with a geographically diverse group of 23 individuals involved in the conduct and analysis of oral epidemiologic studies. GROESBE focuses on elements that are not included in STROBE, adding 14 specific recommendations to existing guidelines. They will facilitate reliable comparison of emerging prevalence and incidence data on untreated caries, severe periodontitis, and edentulism across settings worldwide and the synthesis of robust evidence to inform estimation of disease burden in future iterations of the Global Burden of Disease study.