Table 2 Characteristics of the conflicts of interest (COI) disclosure policies (n = 67)
Variable | n (%) |
|---|---|
Disclosure policy specifies financial COI | 62 (93) |
Disclosure policy specifies non-financial COI | 54 (81) |
Disclosure policy is based on:a | |
Journal’s policy | 54 (81) |
Publisher’s policy | 32 (48) |
Other (e.g. based on ICMJE recommendations) | 5 (8) |
Form used for COI disclosurea | |
Narrative statement | 59 (88) |
ICMJE disclosure form | 13 (19) |
Modified ICMJE form | 13 (19) |
Publisher form | 11 (16) |
Journal form | 6 (9) |
COI disclosure submission methoda | |
In the cover letter | 18 (27) |
In the body of the manuscript | 42 (63) |
Online as part of submission | 50 (75) |
Via email | 2 (3) |
COI disclosure required in relation to:a | |
Submitted work | 58 (87) |
Work outside the submitted work | 1 (2) |
Not specified | 9 (14) |
Timing of COI disclosure relative to submission | |
After submission | 4 (6) |
After revision or acceptance | 5 (8) |
Specification of time period for which disclosure is required | 17 (25) |
Time period for which disclosure is requiredb | |
Preceding 12 months | 1 (6) |
Preceding 24 months | 3 (18) |
Preceding 36 months | 11 (64) |
Preceding 5 years | 2 (12) |
Near future | 7 (41) |
Time period is anchored to:b | |
Time of submission | 14 (82) |
Time of initiation of study | 2 (12) |
Not specified | 1 (6) |
More detailed COI disclosure may be requested | 7 (10) |