Many authors of dermatology clinical practice guidelines receive sizable industry payments and do not fully disclose them, according to data published in JAMA Dermatology.
Researchers from the Center for Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa conducted a cross-sectional study that included 49 authors of 3 guidelines published between 2013 and 2016 to determine the extent of potential financial conflicts of interest. The researchers evaluated payments received by the authors, compared the disclosure statements for accuracy, and examined whether the American Academy of Dermatology enforced their Administrative Regulations for the development of clinical guidelines.
Forty authors received at least 1 reported industry payment. The results showed that 31 authors accepted more than $1,000, 25 accepted more than $10,000, and 18 accepted more than $50,000. The total reimbursement among the 49 authors was $7,701,681 between 2013 and 2015, and financial payments amounted to a mean of $157,177 per author.
The investigators found that 22 of the 40 authors who received payments did not accurately disclose their industry relationships. In addition, several inconsistencies were observed in the extent to which the American Academy of Dermatology enforced their regulations for guideline development. More than 70% of authors received industry payment, which exceeds the 51% maximum stated in the regulations.
