Affiliations 

  • 1 Division of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Division of Restorative Dentistry, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • 3 Department of Endodontology, Goldschlager School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
  • 4 School of Dentistry, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • 5 Department of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Int Endod J, 2019 Mar 19.
PMID: 30891775 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13118

Abstract

An abstract is a brief overview of a scientific, clinical or review manuscript as well as a stand-alone summary of a conference abstract. Scientists, clinician-scientists and clinicians rely on the summary information provided in the abstracts of systematic reviews to assist in subsequent clinical decision-making. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for Abstracts checklist was developed to improve the quality, accuracy and completeness of abstracts associated with systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The PRISMA for Abstracts checklist provides a framework for authors to follow, which helps them provide in the abstract the key information from the systematic review that is required by stakeholders. The PRISMA for Abstracts checklist contains 12 items (title, objectives, eligibility criteria, information sources, risk of bias, included studies, synthesis of results, description of the effect, strength and limitations, interpretation, funding and systematic review registration) under six sections (title, background, methods, results, discussion, other). The current article highlights the relevance and importance of the items in the PRISMA for Abstracts checklist to the specialty of Endodontology, while offering explanations and specific examples to assist authors when writing abstracts for systematic reviews when reported in manuscripts or submitted to conferences. Strict adherence to the PRISMA for Abstracts checklist by authors, reviewers, and journal editors will result in the consistent publication of high-quality abstracts within Endodontology. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.