Retraction to: Korean J Fam Med 2024;45(2):96-104.
Authors: Foruzan Sharifipour, Shahla Faal Siahkal, Kowsar Qaderi, Zeynab Mohaghegh, Maryam Zahedian, Faeze Azizi
The article titled “Effect of curcumin on dysmenorrhea and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis” has been retracted by the
Korean Journal of Family Medicine due to concerns regarding the integrity of the meta-analysis [
1].
During a post-publication review initiated by a reader’s comment, it was identified that two studies included in the meta-analysis—Fanaei et al. [
2] and Khayat et al. [
3]—may have originated from the same clinical trial (grant number: 574) conducted at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The following observations raised concerns:
Similarity in Baseline Characteristics: The two studies reported identical baseline demographic and clinical data for their participants.
Consistency in Participant Flow Diagrams: The participant flow diagrams presented in both studies were found to be also identical.
While the authors clarified that the studies focused on different outcomes, no definitive evidence was provided to confirm the independence of the datasets. As a result, the inclusion of these studies as separate data sources in the meta-analysis may have influenced the reliability of the findings.
The editorial board, after careful consideration, has concluded that these methodological issues necessitate the retraction of the article to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the published scientific record. This decision does not imply any misconduct on the part of the authors but reflects the journal’s commitment to maintaining rigorous standards in research publication.
We appreciate the authors’ cooperation during this review process and apologize to our readers for any inconvenience caused. We also extend our gratitude to the individual who highlighted this matter and contributed to upholding the quality of our journal.
References
- 1. Sharifipour F, Siahkal SF, Qaderi K, Mohaghegh Z, Zahedian M, Azizi F. Effect of curcumin on dysmenorrhea and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Korean J Fam Med 2024;45:96-104.
- 2. Fanaei H, Khayat S, Kasaeian A, Javadimehr M. Effect of curcumin on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in women with premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Neuropeptides 2016;56:25-31.
- 3. Khayat S, Fanaei H, Kheirkhah M, Moghadam ZB, Kasaeian A, Javadimehr M. Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2015;23:318-24.
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