Results dissemination from completed clinical trials conducted at German university medical centers remains delayed and incomplete. The 2014-2017 cohort

Objective Timely publication of clinical trial results is central for evidence-based medicine. The performance of university medical centers (UMCs) regarding timely results publication informs the local and national decision makers, patients, and the public about the need to improve trial results dissemination. Study Design and Setting Following the same search and tracking methods used in our previous study for the years 2009 - 2013, we identified trials led by German UMCs completed between 2014 and 2017 and tracked results dissemination for the identified trials. Results We identified 1,658 trials in the 2014-2017 cohort. Of these trials, 43% published results as either journal publication or summary results within 24 months after completion date, which is an improvement of 3.8% percentage points compared to the previous study. At the UMC level, the 24-month publication rates varied from 14% to 71%. Five years after completion, still 30% of the trials remained unpublished. Conclusion Despite minor improvements compared to the previously investigated cohort, the rate of timely reporting of trials led by German UMCs remains low. German UMCs should take further steps to improve timely reporting rates.