Case Reports

What Is a Reporting Guideline?

A reporting guideline is a structured tool or checklist that provides a minimum list of information that should appear in a manuscript to ensure it can be:

• Understood by a reader.
• Replicated by a researcher.
• Used by a doctor to make a clinical decision.
• Included in a systematic review.

Source: EQUATOR Network

Reporting Guidelines for Case Reports

Before preparing your manuscript or submitting it to a journal, ensure you are familiar with the journal's reporting requirements. Although the CARE Guidelines (provided below) are widely recognized and endorsed by numerous medical journals and publishers, individual journals may have unique requirements for case reports.

1. CARE Case Report Guidelines
   • Developed by an international group of experts to support an increase in the accuracy, transparency, and usefulness of case reports.
   • View and download the CARE checklist here.
2. CARE Extensions
   • Adaptations of the CARE checklist tailored to specific specialties such as radiology and surgery.
3. EQUATOR Network
   • An international initiative that seeks to improve the reliability and value of published health research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting and wider use of robust reporting guidelines.
   • Search EQUATOR for more reporting guidelines related to case reports.
4. JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports
   • While not a reporting standard, the JBI checklist describes the characteristics of a high-quality case report.
   • Can be used to plan your case report and appraise the manuscript before submission.

Additional Resources

Riley DS, Barber MS, Kienle GS, et al. CARE guidelines for case reports: explanation and elaboration document. J Clin Epidemiol. 2017;89:218-235. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.04.026

Gagnier JJ, Kienle G, Altman DG, et al. The CARE guidelines: consensus-based clinical case report guideline development. J Clin Epidemiol. 2014;67(1):46-51. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2013.08.003