Publication and appraisal of methodological guidelines: the development of systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials by the Department of Science and Technology of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (DECIT/MOH)

Article type
Authors
Koury C1, Vieira N1, Elias F1, Gadelha C1, Calvalcanti A2, Buehler A2, Figueiró M2, Berwanger O2
1Brazilian Ministry of Health, Brazil
2HCor
Abstract
Background: Since 2004, DECIT supports the production of SRs by teaching and research institutions in Brazil. However, these studies were guided by international recommendations causing some variability in the execution and presentation of results. In order to standardize and equalize the elaboration quality of SRs throughout Brazil, DECIT requested to research institute Hospital do Coração draft this guideline.

Objectives: To describe the publication and review guideline’ process.

Methods: Descriptive analysis based on Ministry of Health’s data.

Results: The guideline was based on two international guidelines used in clinical research: The Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook and a guideline prepared by the The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and the first draft was finalized in 2011. After that, many meetings were realized to evaluate its recommendations, as well as presentation in scientific events to get some feedbacks. After almost 1 year under appreciation, the guidelines were published in 2012, which suffered some changes and adjustments from the first draft. There are 11 recommendations aiming to standardize and to get robustness to SR and Meta-Analyses of RCT.

Conclusions: Methodological guidelines for SR and Meta-Analyses of RCT have spread out around the world. In 2012, the Brazilian MoH published its own guideline, which was elaborated taking into account the feedback of many important actors involved direct and indirectly with SR and Meta-Analyses of RCT, such as governmental institutions, universities, researchers and health managers. Nowadays, all SR fostered by MoH must follow the guidelines’ recommendation. As this field is constantly in development, the guidelines will be revised until 2014.