To investigate the quality of statistical reporting in publications from general medical journals and analyze the influencing factors.

A random sample of 480 original research articles published in 2010 and 2020 was selected from two Medline journals and six Chinese core journals in the field of medicine and health. The quality of statistical reporting was evaluated using a self-developed checklist based on the SAMPL guidelines, ICMJE recommendations, CONSORT, STROBE, and other relevant standards, followed by an analysis of influencing factors.

The overall quality score for statistical reporting in the surveyed general medical journals was 40.0±8.6. The scores for different statistical aspects were as follows: statistical design (43.2±6.8), statistical description (67.0±24.3), t-test (23.6±17.5), ANOVA (26.8±17.2), chi-square test (24.2±13.7), rank-sum test (45.5±18.4), correlation analysis (41.9±13.2), regression analysis (40.5±14.8), and survival analysis (45.6±14.9). Univariate analysis indicated that the overall quality score for statistical reporting in articles published in 2020 was higher than that in 2010 (35.8±7.4 vs. 44.3±7.5, t=-12.510, P<0.001). Multilevel modeling showed that the indexing system, research field, and publication year were the main factors influencing the overall score. Compared to Medline-indexed journals, the overall scores were lower for Chinese core journals. Articles focusing on non-human subjects had lower scores compared to those involving human subjects. Additionally, the overall scores for articles published in 2020 were higher than those in 2010.

The quality of statistical reporting in general medical journals in China has improved over the past decade, but there remains substantial room for further improvement. It is recommended to enhance the promotion of relevant reporting standards.