A scoping review shows that no single existing risk of bias assessment tool considers all sources of bias for cross-sectional studies.
Shannon E KellyStephen P J BrooksKarima BenkheddaAmanda J MacFarlaneLinda S Greene-FinestoneBecky SkidmoreTammy J CliffordGeorge A WellsPublished in: Journal of clinical epidemiology (2024)
Assessing cross-sectional studies involve unique RoB considerations. We identified RoB tools designed for broad applicability across various study designs as well as those specifically tailored for cross-sectional studies. However, none of the identified tools comprehensively address all potential biases pertinent to cross-sectional studies. Our findings indicate a need for continued improvement of RoB tools and suggest that the development of context-specific or more precise tools for this study design may be necessary.