External validity is neglected in reports of randomized trials The example of hip and knee osteoarthritis

and discussion sections: information related to external validity reported in the abstract (i.e., country where the trial took place, setting, number of centers, number of eligiblei.e., country where the trial took place, setting, number of centers, number of eligible patients, number of patients randomized, length of recruitment, length of follow-up, and data on care providers) and whether the external validity was discussed in the discussion section of the study as recommended by the CONSORT Statement (1). in se rm -0 03 72 07 0, v er si on 1 31 M ar 2 00 9