Use of GRADE in Chinese clinical practice guidelines

Article type
Authors
Xun Y1, Zhou Q2, Yang N1, Wang Z1, Shi Q2, Ma Y1, Luo X3, Chen Y1
1Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University; WHO Collaborating Centre for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation; Chinese GRADE Center; Cochrane China Network, Lanzhou
2The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou
3School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou
Abstract
Background:Evaluating the quality of the evidence on which guidelines are based is an essential step in the development of appropriate guideline recommendations for practice, the use of which should be beneficial for patients.

Objectives:To determine whether and to what extent GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology has been and is currently being used in Chinese clinical practice guidelines.

Methods:All Chinese guidelines available through MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Biology Medicine disc, Medlive (http://www.medlive.cn/) since 2004 (which is when GRADE was mentioned) until the present will be included in this review. These guidelines may be from any healthcare specialty or field for any disease or disease group. All guidelines will be assessed by at least two independent reviewers and data will be extracted independently. Guidelines will be assessed to determine whether they have used the GRADE approach. Guideline specialty, guideline disease area, year of publication, developing body, whether used GRADE approach or not? etc. Appraise these guidelines using the AGREE II to find the difference of methodological quality.

Results and conclusions: This study is ongoing and results will be presented at the Evidence summit as available.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: None.