Background: Clinical research generates knowledge which is the basis for decision making in healthcare and further research. A prerequisite is that information on ongoing research and the results are made publicly available in an unbiased, complete manner as early as possible after study completion, suitably processed for different purposes and indications. Clinical trial registries are widely accepted and used, and results should be posted in trial registries.

Objectives: The main objective of this pilot project is to analyse how many terminated trials provide results in German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) and in which format.

Methods: Interventional trials registered with DRKS (completed for >1 year, conducted in Germany) have been identified. A 10%-sample was drawn and analysed to see whether and in which format results were posted in DRKS.

Results: 55 out of 124 trials posted results in different manners (link to publications, uploaded reports etc.). On an enquiry about existing results to all other principal investigators, 42 out of 69 answered, 21 forwarded results and 10 indicated that publication of results would occur in the next few months. By conducting a literature research (PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.) we will try to find more results.

Conclusions: Providing results of all trials is an urgent need. Clinical trial results should be made available to all interested stakeholders: researchers, patients, clinicians and healthcare providers. Scientists should be encouraged and facilitated to provide trial results information to trial registries.