1. In Table 1, the mean operating time and estimated blood loss is reported for 126 and 137 patients. While in the text it’s reported for 142 patients “Mean total operating time and estimated blood loss for the 142 patients was 142 min and 157 ml respectively.” Which one is correct?
2. In Table 4, the Gleason Sum is only reported for 137 patients and pathological stage is reported for 135 patients. While the number of patients in the study cohort is of 142 patients. How is it possible that the biobank doesn’t have reported the Gleason score and pathological stage of all patients stored in it, were they not examined? Why is the data not reported on all the patients.
The answer to these two basic descriptive statistics questions is crucial as this data is important for the univariate and multivariate analysis.
We would like to know what the authors have to say about this? Probably an independent statistical analysis and if not possible retraction of the article.
Inaccurate reporting of data
17 December 2014
1. In Table 1, the mean operating time and estimated blood loss is reported for 126 and 137 patients. While in the text it’s reported for 142 patients “Mean total operating time and estimated blood loss for the 142 patients was 142 min and 157 ml respectively.” Which one is correct?
2. In Table 4, the Gleason Sum is only reported for 137 patients and pathological stage is reported for 135 patients. While the number of patients in the study cohort is of 142 patients. How is it possible that the biobank doesn’t have reported the Gleason score and pathological stage of all patients stored in it, were they not examined? Why is the data not reported on all the patients.
The answer to these two basic descriptive statistics questions is crucial as this data is important for the univariate and multivariate analysis.
We would like to know what the authors have to say about this? Probably an independent statistical analysis and if not possible retraction of the article.
Competing interests
None declared