Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42463202›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in drowning epidemiology (STROBE-D): a protocol for an extension to the STROBE statement.

Kasper Bitzer, Amy E Peden, Joost Bierens, David Szpilman, Ana Catarina Queiroga, Roberto Barcala-Furelos, Jonathon Webber, Michael Tipton, Justin Sempsrott, Jagnoor Jagnoor and 12 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

22 authors.

Kasper BitzerTrygFonden's Drowning Research Unit, Prehospital Centre Region Zealand, Naestved, Denmark.
Amy E PedenInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6424-1511
Joost BierensInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4467-8211
David SzpilmanInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Ana Catarina QueirogaInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Roberto Barcala-FurelosInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Jonathon WebberInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4144-0566
Michael TiptonInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7928-8451
Justin SempsrottInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Jagnoor JagnoorInjury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5276-9095
Tom MecrowInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Frederick OporiaDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Colleen SaundersDivision of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
William KoonInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Cuong PhamCentre for Injury Policy and Prevention Research, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
Justin-Paul ScarrInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Tessa ClemensInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.
Stephen BeermanDrowning Prevention Research Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Richard FranklinInternational Drowning Researchers' Alliance (IDRA), Kuna, Idaho, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1864-4552
Timothy FeeneyThe BMJ, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8139-5830
Erik von ElmCochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Freiburg, Germany.
Niklas BreindahlTrygFonden's Drowning Research Unit, Prehospital Centre Region Zealand, Naestved, Denmark niklas.breindahl@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3016-3567

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDrowning remains a substantial global health challenge, and research in this area predominantly relies on observational study designs due to ethical, practical and administrative limitations. Although the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement is available, adherence within the drowning research community has been inconsistent and frequently incomplete. Consequently, essential methodological components and drowning-specific factors are often under-reported or inconsistently described, impeding quality, reproducibility, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis.

aimThis protocol outlines the development of an extension to the STROBE statement, specifically for reporting observational studies in drowning epidemiology (STROBE-D). The proposed extension aims to provide structured guidance for authors, reviewers and editors, thereby enhancing the clarity, transparency and comparability of reporting practices. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The development of the STROBE-D statement will follow established recommendations and methodological frameworks for guideline creation. The process will include a scoping review and initial draft preparation, a two-round modified Delphi process using surveys with multidisciplinary and international expert participation, an expert consensus meeting to finalise the content and manuscript, public comment with interest-holder involvement and a final revision before submission for peer review. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Committee on Health Research Ethics in the Region Zealand of Denmark waived the need for ethical approval as this is a consensus study (EMN-2025-09099). Findings will be disseminated through open access peer-reviewed publications, targeted communication through professional networks, conferences and social media platforms. The STROBE-D statement will serve as an extension to the STROBE statement, specifically tailored to observational studies in drowning epidemiology to improve consistency and transparency. Simultaneous publications of the original STROBE-D statement and the accompanying explanation and elaboration paper will be pursued in line with existing best practices.

Indexed as

DrowningObservational Studies as TopicResearch DesignDelphi TechniqueGuidelines as TopicHumansACCIDENT & EMERGENCY MEDICINEEPIDEMIOLOGYGuideline AdherenceProtocols & guidelinesSTATISTICS & RESEARCH METHODS

Identifiers

PMID42463202
PMCPMC13384120

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.