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Dermatology clinical practice guideline authors failed to disclose industry relationships

Authors of three dermatology clinical practice guideline documents failed to fully disclose industry relationships, according to recent findings.

Researchers reviewed the Open Payments database to identify payments made to the authors of three American Academy of Dermatology guidelines published from 2013 to 2016 to determine the accuracy of financial disclosure information. They aimed to find monetary value and types of payments to the authors, products mentioned in the guidelines, and relationships between the authors and the manufacturers of those products.

The study included information for 49 authors.

Results showed that 40 authors received at least one payment from industry. Thirty-one authors accepted more than $1,000, 25 accepted more than $10,000, and 18 accepted more than $50, 000.

The mean financial payment was $157,177 per author. Between 2013 and 2015, the 49 authors received $7,701,681 in total reimbursements.

Twenty-two of the 40 authors who received industry payments failed to accurately disclose their relationships.

Other findings indicated that authors received payments from companies directly associated with products mentioned in the guidelines.

“Dermatology clinical practice guideline authors received sizable industry payments and did not completely disclose these payments,” the researchers concluded. “The American Academy of Dermatology policies may benefit from stricter enforcement or the adoption of new standards.” – by Rob Volansky

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.