Journal of clinical epidemiology
-
To describe a systematic approach for identifying, reporting, and synthesizing information to allow consistent and transparent consideration of the applicability of the evidence in a systematic review according to the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Setting domains. ⋯ Careful consideration of applicability may improve the usefulness of systematic reviews in informing practice and policy.
-
The Work Instability Scale for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA-WIS) is a promising prognostic tool for future work disability outcomes. Rasch analysis was conducted to examine the psychometric performance of the RA-WIS in work-related upper limb disorders. ⋯ A new 17-item Upper Limb Work Instability Scale that satisfied assumptions for interval-level scaling was derived.
-
Systematic reviewers disagree about the ability of observational studies to answer questions about the benefits or intended effects of pharmacotherapeutic, device, or procedural interventions. This study provides a framework for decision making on the inclusion of observational studies to assess benefits and intended effects in comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs). ⋯ Because it is unusual to find sufficient evidence from RCTs to answer all key questions concerning benefit or the balance of benefits and harms, comparative effectiveness reviewers should routinely assess the appropriateness of inclusion of observational studies for questions of benefit. Furthermore, reviewers should explicitly state the rationale for inclusion or exclusion of observational studies when conducting CERs.
-
Updating comparative effectiveness reviews: current efforts in AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program.
To review the current knowledge and efforts on updating systematic reviews (SRs) as applied to comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs). ⋯ CERs need to be regularly updated as new evidence is produced. Lack of attention to updating may lead to outdated and sometimes misleading conclusions that compromise health care and policy decisions. The article outlines several specific goals for future research, one of them being the development of efficient guideline for updating CERs applicable across evidence-based practice centers.