Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Disease burden should help guide research prioritization. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2010 compiled data from 1990 to 2010 on 291 diseases and injuries, 1160 disease and injury sequelae, and 67 risk factors in 187 countries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is the leading resource for systematic reviews in healthcare, with peer-reviewed systematic reviews that are published by Cochrane Review Groups.
Objectives: To determine whether systematic review and protocol topics in CDSR reflect disease burden, measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from the GBD 2010 project. This is one of a series of projects mapping GBD 2010 medical field disease burden to corresponding systematic reviews in CDSR.
Methods: Two investigators independently assessed 15 skin conditions in CDSR for systematic review and protocol representation according to subject content. The 15 skin diseases were matched to their respective DALYs from GBD 2010. An official publication report by the Cochrane Skin Group was also obtained to ensure that no titles were missed.
Results: All 15 skin conditions were represented by at least one systematic review in CDSR. 69% of systematic reviews and 67% of protocols by the Skin Group covered the 15 skin conditions. Comparing the number of reviews/protocols and disability, dermatitis, melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, viral skin diseases, and fungal skin diseases were well-matched. Decubitus ulcer, psoriasis, and leprosy demonstrated review/protocol over-representation when matched with corresponding DALYs. In comparison, acne vulgaris, bacterial skin diseases, urticaria, pruritus, scabies, cellulitis, and alopecia areata were under-represented in CDSR when matched with corresponding DALYs.
Conclusions: Degree of representation in CDSR is partly correlated with DALY metrics. The number of published reviews/protocols was well-matched with disability metrics for five of 15 studied skin diseases, while three skin diseases were over-represented and seven under-represented. Our results provide good quality and transparent data to inform future prioritization decisions.
Objectives: To determine whether systematic review and protocol topics in CDSR reflect disease burden, measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from the GBD 2010 project. This is one of a series of projects mapping GBD 2010 medical field disease burden to corresponding systematic reviews in CDSR.
Methods: Two investigators independently assessed 15 skin conditions in CDSR for systematic review and protocol representation according to subject content. The 15 skin diseases were matched to their respective DALYs from GBD 2010. An official publication report by the Cochrane Skin Group was also obtained to ensure that no titles were missed.
Results: All 15 skin conditions were represented by at least one systematic review in CDSR. 69% of systematic reviews and 67% of protocols by the Skin Group covered the 15 skin conditions. Comparing the number of reviews/protocols and disability, dermatitis, melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, viral skin diseases, and fungal skin diseases were well-matched. Decubitus ulcer, psoriasis, and leprosy demonstrated review/protocol over-representation when matched with corresponding DALYs. In comparison, acne vulgaris, bacterial skin diseases, urticaria, pruritus, scabies, cellulitis, and alopecia areata were under-represented in CDSR when matched with corresponding DALYs.
Conclusions: Degree of representation in CDSR is partly correlated with DALY metrics. The number of published reviews/protocols was well-matched with disability metrics for five of 15 studied skin diseases, while three skin diseases were over-represented and seven under-represented. Our results provide good quality and transparent data to inform future prioritization decisions.