Gender-sensitive reporting in medical research.

Abstract

Sex and gender differences influence the health and wellbeing of men and women. Although studies have drawn

attention to observed differences between women and men across diseases, remarkably little research has been

pursued to systematically investigate these underlying sex differences. Women continue to be underrepresented in

clinical trials, and even in studies in which both men and women participate, systematic analysis of data to identify

potential sex-based differences is lacking. Standards for reporting of clinical trials have been established to ensure

provision of complete, transparent and critical information. An important step in addressing the gender imbalance

would be inclusion of a gender perspective in the next Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)

guideline revision. Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals, as a set of well recognized

and widely used guidelines for authors and biomedical journals, should similarly emphasize the ethical

obligation of authors to present data analyzed by gender as a matter of routine. Journal editors are also promoters

of ethical research and adequate standards of reporting, and requirements for inclusion of gender analyses should

be integrated into editorial policies as a matter of urgency.