Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The exponential growth in the number of systematic reviews (SRs) being published, the need to regularly update existing reviews, along with the time and resources required to undertake a review, motivates the desire to integrate existing reviews into a new review. However, there is a trade-off between accepting the results of a prior review and redoing selected elements, or the review in its entirety.
Objectives: The goal of this systematic review methods development project was to enhance guidance on approaches and considerations for integrating existing SRs into new reviews.
Methods: Over a two-year period, a workgroup of SR methodologists from across the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) clarified guidance needs and developed new recommendations. Deliberations were supported by a review of guidance developed by the EPCs and eight other organizations, including Cochrane and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE ); interviews with key informants from organizations that conduct or use SRs; and a search of the literature. Recommendations were developed in an iterative manner and based on consensus of workgroup members.
Results: In Year 1, the workgroup found general consensus across organizations for assessing the relevance of prior reviews and scanning their references to identify studies for a new review. In Year 2, the workgroup identified eight areas where additional guidance was needed. No literature relevant to informing discussions was identified.
Recommendations were developed concerning: minimum eligibility criteria for including an existing review based on its approach and methodological rigor; criteria for using risk of bias assessments from an earlier review; presenting findings from the earlier review distinctly from new studies and synthesizing the two; and an approach for strength of evidence.
Conclusions: Preliminary guidance was developed promoting an efficient and unbiased approach for integrating old and new evidence.
Objectives: The goal of this systematic review methods development project was to enhance guidance on approaches and considerations for integrating existing SRs into new reviews.
Methods: Over a two-year period, a workgroup of SR methodologists from across the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) clarified guidance needs and developed new recommendations. Deliberations were supported by a review of guidance developed by the EPCs and eight other organizations, including Cochrane and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE ); interviews with key informants from organizations that conduct or use SRs; and a search of the literature. Recommendations were developed in an iterative manner and based on consensus of workgroup members.
Results: In Year 1, the workgroup found general consensus across organizations for assessing the relevance of prior reviews and scanning their references to identify studies for a new review. In Year 2, the workgroup identified eight areas where additional guidance was needed. No literature relevant to informing discussions was identified.
Recommendations were developed concerning: minimum eligibility criteria for including an existing review based on its approach and methodological rigor; criteria for using risk of bias assessments from an earlier review; presenting findings from the earlier review distinctly from new studies and synthesizing the two; and an approach for strength of evidence.
Conclusions: Preliminary guidance was developed promoting an efficient and unbiased approach for integrating old and new evidence.