The most under-reported items were concealment of allocation , blinding of patients and outcome assessors , intention to treat and validation of outcomes .
BACKGROUND In the process of conducting a systematic review on interventions for skin lesions due to neuritis in leprosy , we assessed several primary papers with respect to the quality of reporting and methods used in the studies .
Awareness of what constitutes weak points in previously conducted studies may be used to improve the planning , conducting and reporting of future clinical trials .
AIMS To assess the quality of reporting and of methodology  in studies of interventions for skin lesions due to neuritis in leprosy .
Topical phenytoin suspension and normal saline in the treatment of leprosy trophic ulcers: a randomized, double‐blind, comparative study
OBJECTIVE : To evaluate and compare two strengths of topical phenytoin sodium suspension ( 2 % and 4 % ) with normal saline in the healing of acute trophic ulcers in leprosy patients . METHODS : A prospect i ve , parallel , double‐blind , r and omized study was conducted in 45 leprosy in patients with acute trophic ulcers . Patients were r and omized to receive 2 % , 4 % or normal saline dressing on their ulcers once daily for 4 weeks . Efficacy parameters such as a reduction in the surface area of the ulcer , bacterial culture of the ulcer swab , appearance of healthy granulation tissue , cessation of ulcer discharge and overall gradation of clinical healing and safety were assessed at weekly intervals . RESULTS : The ulcer area reduction was greater in the 2 % and 4 % phenytoin groups compared with the normal saline group ( p<0.001 ) . Appearance of healthy granulation tissue and cessation of ulcer discharge was also observed earlier in the two phenytoin groups . At the end of 4 weeks , 11 ulcers each had healed completely in both the 2 % and 4 % phenytoin groups compared with none in the control group . There were no statistical differences between the 2 % and 4 % phenytoin groups . No side effects were reported by any patient . CONCLUSION : Topical phenytoin appears to be an effective , safe and cheap therapeutic option for the healing of trophic ulcers in leprosy patients
The most under-reported items were concealment of allocation , blinding of patients and outcome assessors , intention to treat and validation of outcomes .
BACKGROUND In the process of conducting a systematic review on interventions for skin lesions due to neuritis in leprosy , we assessed several primary papers with respect to the quality of reporting and methods used in the studies .
Awareness of what constitutes weak points in previously conducted studies may be used to improve the planning , conducting and reporting of future clinical trials .
AIMS To assess the quality of reporting and of methodology  in studies of interventions for skin lesions due to neuritis in leprosy .