The following recommendations are for Observational and Interventional studies.

*Meta-analyses and Surveys will be detailed separately.

Structure:

  1. Abstract (max 300 words): Background, Material & Methods, Results, Conclusion
  2. Introduction
  3. Material & Method
  4. Results
  5. Discussion
  6. Conclusion(s)
  7. List of Abbreviations
  8. Statements
  9. References

CONSORT reporting guidelines for Randomized Trials

STROBE reporting guidelines for Observational studies

Introduction

The Background section should explain the background to the study, its aims, a summary of the existing literature, and why this study was necessary or its contribution to the field. Keep the introduction comprehensible to scientists working outside the topic of the paper.

Materials and Methods

They should be described with sufficient detail to allow others to replicate and build on published results. New methods and protocols should be described in detail, while well-established methods can be briefly described and appropriately cited. Give the name and version of any software used and make clear whether computer code used is available.

Results

Provide a concise and precise description of the experimental results, their interpretation and the conclusions that can be drawn.

Discussion

This will essentially be a discussion of the results and experimental data collected. The section should include implications of the findings and their limitations, regarding all other relevant studies and the possibilities these suggest for future research. The discussion section also allows authors the opportunity to discuss the developments that are likely to be important in the future and the avenues of research likely to become exciting as further studies yield more detailed results.

Conclusion & future perspectives

This should clearly state the main conclusions and explain the importance and relevance of the findings. Indicate if the study design can be generalized to a broader patient population.

Format

  • Word limit: 4000 (Abstract not included)
  • Reference maximum: 50
  • Figures or tables limit: 5