Required Structure by Article Type

Original Article

• Abstract (Structured): Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion
• Introduction
• Methods: design, setting, participants, inclusion/exclusion, outcomes, sample size (if applicable), statistical analysis, ethics/consent
• Results: primary outcome(s) first; include effect sizes with CI where appropriate
• Discussion: key findings, comparison with literature, implications, limitations, conclusion
• Conclusion
• Tables/Figures (as needed)

Review Article

Systematic Review / Meta-analysis: Must follow PRISMA.

• Abstract (structured)
• Introduction
• Methods (search strategy, eligibility, screening, data extraction, risk of bias, synthesis)
• Results (study selection, characteristics, risk of bias, synthesis/meta-analysis)
• Discussion (strengths/limitations, implications)
• Conclusion

Case Report (CARE recommended)

• Abstract
• Introduction (brief)
• Case Presentation (timeline where possible)
• Investigations and Differential Diagnosis
• Management and Outcome
• Discussion (key learning points)
• Patient consent statement (mandatory)

Case Series

• Abstract (structured recommended)
• Introduction
• Methods (case selection, definitions, outcomes, ethics/consent)
• Case summaries (consistent format; consider a table)
• Discussion
• Conclusion