Clinical practice guidelines on newborn hearing screening: A systematic quality appraisal using the AGREE II instrument

AGREE II Evaluation of Clinical Practice Guidelines on Generalized Cancer Pain Management

PURPOSE

While several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) exist to guide clinical decision-making in patients with generalized cancer pain, to date there has been no comprehensive review of their quality. Our aim was to address this deficiency via the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

DESIGN

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline-based systematic literature search followed by AGREE II appraisal of identified CPGs.

METHODS

Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Scopus were searched from inception to March 3, 2021, for relevant CPGs. Four authors (FR, AR, JN, JH) independently performed assessments and evaluations of the selected CPGs using the AGREE II instrument. Scaled domain percentage scores were calculated with 60% as the satisfactory quality threshold. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were also calculated to assess interrater reliability.

RESULTS

Twelve guidelines were selected for inclusion. Two guidelines were classified high quality, three guidelines as average quality, and seven as low quality. Domains of clarity of presentation (82.41% ± 18.20%) and scope and purpose (56.48% ± 30.59%) received the highest mean scores, while domains of applicability (44.53% ± 26.61%) and stakeholder involvement (36.81% ± 21.24%) received the lowest. ICCs showed high consistency between reviewers (range 0.85-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Most CPGs for generalized cancer pain are of low quality. Future guidelines can be improved by better-defining scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, applicability, and editorial independence during development.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

We hope these critiques improve the quality of published guidelines to promote an improved quality of care and method to measure quality outcomes.

Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: an assessment based on the AGREE II, AGREE-REX tools and the RIGHT checklist

Objective

The aim of this study was to obtain several published clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and critically assess and compare their quality by using three guideline quality evaluation tools, namely, AGREE II, AGREE-REX, and RIGHT, to support the development of future CPGs for HNSCC.

Methods

Clinical practice guidelines related to the diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC were screened through a comprehensive systematic literature search. Data were extracted from the guidelines which met the inclusion criteria, and two experienced head and neck oncology surgeons were trained to act as independent reviewers. The quality of the retrieved guidelines that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria was evaluated by using the AGREE II, AGREE-REX, and RIGHT tools. Then, the quality of the guidelines that met the criteria was assessed. Finally, conclusions and recommendations were drawn based on the scoring results.

Results

A total of eight guidelines met the inclusion criteria. Four guidelines(written by ASCO, NCCN, CCO and KCE) scored > 60% in five or more AGREE II quality domains, two guidelines(written by ASCO and KCE) scored > 60% in all AGREE-REX quality domains, and two guidelines(written by ASCO and KCE) scored > 60% in all quality domains on the RIGHT checklist and were considered "recommendable".

Conclusions

The authors recommend consulting the American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines for HNSCC and suggest that future guideline development groups refer to the guideline evaluation framework for guideline writing to enhance the applicability and effectiveness of clinical practice guidelines.

Coalition for Global Hearing Health Hearing Care Pathways Working Group: Guidelines for Clinical Guidance for Readiness and Development of Evidence-Based Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs

Editor's Note: The following article discusses the timely topic Clinical Guidance in the areas of Evidence-Based Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs. This article aims to discuss areas of services needed, guidance to countries/organizations attempting to initiate early hearing detection and intervention systems. Expert consensus and systematic/scoping reviews were combined to produce recommendations for evidence-based clinical practice. In Ear and Hearing, our long-term goal for the Point of View article is to stimulate the field's interest in and to enhance the appreciation of the author's area of expertise. Hearing is an important sense for children to develop cognitive, speech, language, and psychosocial skills. The goal of universal newborn hearing screening is to enable the detection of hearing loss in infants so that timely health and educational/therapeutic intervention can be provided as early as possible to improve outcomes. While many countries have implemented universal newborn hearing screening programs, many others are yet to start. As hearing screening is only the first step to identify children with hearing loss, many follow-up services are needed to help them thrive. However, not all of these services are universally available, even in high-income countries. The purposes of this article are (1) to discuss the areas of services needed in an integrated care system to support children with hearing loss and their families; (2) to provide guidance to countries/organizations attempting to initiate early hearing detection and intervention systems with the goal of meeting measurable benchmarks to assure quality; and (3) to help established programs expand and improve their services to support children with hearing loss to develop their full potential. Multiple databases were interrogated including PubMed, Medline (OVIDSP), Cochrane library, Google Scholar, Web of Science and One Search, ERIC, PsychInfo. Expert consensus and systematic/scoping reviews were combined to produce recommendations for evidence-based clinical practice. Eight essential areas were identified to be central to the integrated care: (1) hearing screening, (2) audiologic diagnosis and management, (3) amplification, (4) medical evaluation and management, (5) early intervention services, (6) family-to-family support, (7) D/deaf/hard of hearing leadership, and (8) data management. Checklists are provided to support the assessment of a country/organization's readiness and development in each area as well as to suggest alternative strategies for situations with limited resources. A three-tiered system (i.e., Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced) is proposed to help countries/organizations at all resource levels assess their readiness to provide the needed services and to improve their integrated care system. Future directions and policy implications are also discussed.

A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Long-Term Cognitive Outcomes: Where Do We Stand?

This study aims to systematically review the existing literature on long-term cognitive outcomes in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). A thorough search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase was conducted to find studies that satisfied the inclusion requirements. Rayyan (Qatar Computing Research Institute, Doha, Qatar) was utilized during the whole operation. Our results included seven studies with a total of 521 patients and 247 (47.4%) were females. All of the included participants were assessed for the incidence of cognitive functions following hypothermia therapy. Newborns with significant HIE are at high risk for neurodevelopmental complications even in the absence of magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) abnormalities, such as poor performance score and hearing-language score, functional status, delayed language skills, emotional processing, sensory movement, learning, and memory. Independent of motor deficits, participants with a history of HIE are susceptible to issues with cognition and executive function during late childhood and adolescence. It is crucial to keep an eye on their intellectual development after infancy since cognitive dysfunction and memory problems might manifest subtly or not at all in the early years of life, but they can cause problems in later childhood and adolescence. Long-term follow-up research is also required to ascertain whether the enhanced cognitive outcomes will continue throughout adolescence. Even in cases where overt neuromotor abnormalities are not evident, children with watershed injuries on brain MRIs should be closely monitored to evaluate cognitive function, particularly language development.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of neonatal abstinence syndrome is increasing, but the number and quality of clinical practice guidelines available are unknown. This systematic review aimed to identify, appraise and evaluate clinical practice guidelines for neonatal abstinence syndrome.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases and the grey literature was conducted between 1 June and 1 July 2022. Full-text guidelines published by national or state-wide institutions were included. The recommendations from each guideline were extracted. The AGREE-II instrument was used to assess guideline quality. Sufficient-quality scores were defined as >60 and good-quality scores were >80 for each domain of AGREE-II.

RESULTS

A total of 1703 records were identified, and 22 guidelines from the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, published between 2012 to 2021, were included. The quality scores were low, with median scores of 37/100 for stakeholder involvement, 33/100 for methodology, 34/100 for applicability and 0 for editorial independence. Scope and purpose scored 72/100, and presentation scored 85/100. Sixteen (73%) guidelines did not meet the cut-offs for clinical use.

CONCLUSION

Many guidelines were of insufficient quality to guide clinical practice for neonatal abstinence syndrome. This emphasises the need for high-quality studies to inform clinical practice guidelines, improve care and reduce the risk of poor outcomes in these high-risk infants.

A systematic review and evaluation of post-stroke depression clinical practice guidelines

OBJECTIVE

Post-stroke depression is a depressive mood disorder that follows a cerebrovascular accident and is a burden on stroke patients. Its management is included in clinical practice guidelines focused on stroke, and the recommended treatment is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in conjunction with psychotherapy. Clinical practice guidelines are recommendations used to standardize best medical practice, but there is no current evaluation of guidelines containing post stroke depression recommendations. Thus, the objective is to appraise the selected guidelines manner of development and quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review across three databases and a manual google search was performed to collect guidelines that included recommendations on the management of post-stroke depression. 1236 guidelines were screened, and 27 were considered for inclusion. Considered guidelines were manually reviewed by the authors, and ultimately, 7 met inclusion criteria. The appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation was used to evaluate these guidelines' recommendations around post-stroke depression.

RESULTS

Three guidelines met the threshold considered "High", with all of them having five or more quality domains eclipse the cutoff score of 70%. Across all guidelines, the highest scoring domains were "Scope and Purpose", "Clarity of Presentation", and "Editorial Independence" with scores of 76.98%, 73.81%, and 91.36% respectively. The lowest scoring domains were "Applicability", "Rigor of Development", and "Stakeholder Involvement" with respective scores of 58.73%, 54.02%, and 43.90%.

CONCLUSIONS

The domains "Applicability", "Rigor of Development," and "Stakeholder Involvement" were the lowest scoring domains. These specific domains represent areas in which future guidelines could be more developed.

Clinical practice guidelines for management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary: an AGREE II appraisal

IMPORTANCE

Squamous cell carcinoma without a known primary is an uncommon form of head and neck cancer that requires multidisciplinary collaboration for effective management.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search was performed to identify CPGs pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNSCCUP). Data were abstracted from guidelines meeting inclusion criteria and appraised by four independent reviewers in the six domains of quality defined by the AGREE II.

SETTING

Online database.

PARTICIPANTS

None.

EXPOSURE

None.

MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S)

Quality domain scores and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated across domains to qualify inter-rater reliability.

RESULTS

Seven guidelines met inclusion criteria. Two guidelines achieved a score of > 60% in five or more AGREE II quality domains to gain designation as 'high'-quality content. One "average-quality" guideline authored by the ENT UK Head and Neck Society Council achieved a score of > 60% in three quality domains. The remaining four CPGs demonstrated low-quality content, with deficits most pronounced in domains 3 and 5, suggesting a lack of rigorously developed and clinically applicable information.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

As the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer continues to evolve, identification of high-quality guidelines will become increasingly important. The authors recommend consulting HNSCCUP guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

None.

A critical appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

BACKGROUND

Delays in the diagnosis and therapy of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo can greatly impact quality of life and increase healthcare costs for patients. This study aimed to appraise the quality of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

METHODS

A comprehensive database search of clinical practice guidelines was completed up to 30 October 2021. Four independent reviewers used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument in the quality appraisal.

RESULTS

The highest score was in 'clarity and presentation' (58.33 ± 22.7). The lowest score was in 'applicability' (13.96 ± 30.1). Overall, four clinical practice guidelines were 'low quality' and only one guideline was 'high quality'.

CONCLUSION

This review identified a significant lack of quality in clinical practice guideline development for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, highlighting the need for a more rigorous approach for future guideline development.

[Clinical protocol: audiological assessment of infants in Russian Federation. Part II]

This is the second part of the previously published clinical protocol of audiological assessment in infants. The goal of the protocol is unification approaches to audiological diagnosis of the infants. The following sections were included in the second part of the protocol: behavioral testing in infants, testing sequence, duration of the examination and necessity in follow-up, hearing assessment in special cases (premature children, children with congenital infections, after meningitis, with external ear abnormalities, single-sided deafness, with hydrocephalus and shunts, with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, with mild hearing loss and otitis media with effusion), medical report.

Clinical practice guidelines for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: A systematic review using the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation (AGREE) II instrument

Background and Objective

To systematically review, critically appraise the quality of recent clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and map their recommendations.

Data Sources

CPG databases (GIN, ECRI, NICE, SIGN, DynaMed), Bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL), and related specialized professional societies (e.g., AAP, CPS, BAPM, RCPCH, and SNS).

Study Selection

Original de-novo developed evidence-based CPGs for HIE, group authorship, Arabic or English languages, and international or national scope. The systematic review was drafted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and Johnston et al methodological guide.

Data Extraction

Quality assessment of the included HIE CPGs by the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument and report their characteristics, AGREE II ratings, and recommendations.

Data Synthesis

Our search retrieved 2,489 citations, of which two recent HIE CPGs were eligible and appraised: Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and Queensland Maternity and Neonatal Services (QMN). The overall assessment of the QMN CPG was superior (83%). Domain 1 (Scope & Purpose) scored (47%, 63%), Domain 2 (Stakeholder Involvement) (72%, 39%), Domain 3 (Rigour of Development) (48%, 43%), Domain 4 (Clarity & Presentation) (100%, 96%), Domain 5 (Applicability) (59%, 9%), and Domain 6 (Editorial Independence) (67%, 17%) for the QMN and CPS CPGs respectively. All appraisers recommended the QMN CPG for use in practice.

Conclusion

The methodological quality of the QMN CPG was superior with the relevant recommendations for its use in neonatal practice.

Limitations

limited to Arabic and English languages.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=258291, identifier: CRD42021258291.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of recurrent head and neck cancer: a systematic review and quality appraisal

PURPOSE

Recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) has a significant global disease burden and its treatment is complex. Multiple clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed to improve management of these patient populations; however, no study has systematically reviewed the quality and rigor in development of these guidelines. Here, we identify and systematically appraise existing recommendations for the management of recurrent HNC and assess their clinical applicability, methodologic rigor, and transparency of development.

METHODS

A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases was conducted for recurrent HNC CPGs. Each guideline was scored independently by four reviewers trained in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition (AGREE II) methodology. Salient recommendations from the selected guidelines were summarized.

RESULTS

Our literature search yielded 1799 articles; after iterative title/abstract and full text screening, five remaining guidelines met inclusion criteria. CPGs received the lowest scores in 'Applicability' and 'Rigor of development,' with scores of 12.9% and 22.3%, respectively. Overall quality of available guidelines for management of recurrent HNC is poor, with an average overall scaled domain score of 40.9% (± 11.0), and with four guidelines (80.0%) receiving an overall quality rating of 'low'.

CONCLUSION

We found significant variability in quality and overall lack of methodologic rigor among available guidelines for the management of recurrent HNC. Future groups developing recommendations for this purpose should implement the AGREE II framework to improve quality and standardization of their guidelines.

Quality of the Indian clinical practice guidelines for the management of cardiovascular conditions

To assess the quality of Indian clinical practice guidelines (CPG)s for the management of cardiovascular conditions, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar and websites of relevant medical associations and government organisations were searched, from inception until August 2020, to identify Indian CPGs for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) conditions, produced in or between 2010 and 2019. Excluded were CPGs that were not specific to India, focused on alternative systems of medicine, of non-CVD conditions (even if they included a component of CVD), and those related to the electronic devices, cardiac biomarkers, or diagnostic procedures. Quality of the each included CPG was assessed using the AGREE II tool by four reviewers in duplicate, independently. Each AGREE II domain score and overall quality score was considered low (≤40%), moderate (40.1%-59.9%), and high (≥60%). Of the 23 CPGs included, six (26%) were reported to be adapted from other CPGs. Fourteen (61%) CPGs were produced by medical associations, six (26%) by individual authors and three (13%) by government agencies. Based on the AGREE II overall quality score, two (9%) CPGs were of high quality, four (17%) and seventeen (74%) CPGs were of moderate and low quality, respectively. Except for scope and purpose, and clarity of presentation all other domains were rated low. The quality of most Indian CPGs for managing CVD conditions assessed using the AGREE II tool was moderate-to-low. Combined efforts from different stakeholders are needed to develop, disseminate and implement high-quality CPGs while identifying and addressing barriers to their uptake to optimize patient care and improve outcomes.

Assessment of clinical guidelines for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: current status and future directions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the current quality and utility of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) issued for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a systematic literature search of guidelines for MRONJ diagnosis, staging, prevention, or management. An appraisal of guidelines was completed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. Scaled domain scores were calculated for each domain. Key recommendations were abstracted from guidelines distinguished as "high" quality.

RESULTS

Six CPGs were identified from systematic review. Four of 6 (66.7%) guidelines were published within the last 2 years. Each guideline discussed management of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapy-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw. The highest-scoring domain was domain 1: "Scope and purpose," with an average score of 85.0% (range: 76.4%-100.0%). The lowest domain score was in domain 5: "Applicability," with an average score of 41.7% (range: 22.9%-92.7%). Only 2 guidelines (33.3%) met the quality threshold of > 60% in 5 or more AGREE II domains, distinguishing them as "high"-quality guidelines. The average kappa statistic calculated across domains was 0.77, suggesting substantial interrater correlation in the CPG appraisal process.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the increasing recognition of MRONJ as a debilitating consequence of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapy, clinical guideline recommendations may be lacking in overall quality and clinical utility.

Clinical practice guidelines on management of infantile hemangioma: a systematic quality appraisal using the AGREE II instrument

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign tumors of childhood. Timely diagnosis and management of higher-risk IH is key in avoiding permanent disfigurement, visual impairment, and life-threatening airway compromise. Here, we identify and critically appraise existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for IH diagnosis and management. A systematic search of MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and EMBASE was conducted until August 2021. Four independent reviewers assessed each CPG utilizing the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition (AGREE II). An scaled domain score of ≥60% demonstrated adequacy in a given domain. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed agreement and scoring consistency between the reviewers. Eight CPGs were eligible and included for critical appraisal. Only one CPG was classified as 'high quality', with the remaining seven guidelines being 'average' (n = 3) or 'low' (n = 4) quality. Six guidelines (75.0%) were conducted via nonsystematic literature searches. The 'Applicability' (40.4%±14.0) and 'Rigor of development' (46.9%±17.3) domains achieved the lowest scores, while the highest average scores were in 'Scope and purpose' (76.7%±11.3) and 'Editorial independence' (90.8%±13.0). We found high consistency between the four independent reviewers, with 'very good' (n = 5) or 'good' (n = 1) interrater reliability in all six AGREE II domains. Based on the AGREE II instrument, there is only one available high-quality consensus statement on the diagnosis and management of IH. Low scores in 'Rigor of development' and 'Applicability' suggest notable weaknesses in the development process and reporting quality of existing IH CPGs. Future guidelines should be backed by systematic literature searches and focus on guideline clinical translation.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with chronic regional pain syndrome: a systematic appraisal using the AGREE II instrument

Aim: Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating, painful condition of limbs that often arises after an injury and is associated with significant morbidity. Materials & methods: The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument, used to assess the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), was used to evaluate seven CRPS management guideline. Results: Out of the seven CPGs evaluated using the AGREE II instrument, only one from Royal College of Physicians was found to have high-quality consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management of CRPS. Conclusion: Future CPGs should be backed by systematic literature searches, focus on guidelines clinical translation into clinical practice and applicability to the desired patient population.

Clinical Practice Guidelines on Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Quality Appraisal Using the AGREE II Instrument

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is standard of care for the evaluation of clinically negative regional lymph nodes in patients with cutaneous melanoma. As the presence of metastases dictates patient prognosis and determines the need for further regional disease control or adjuvant therapy, SLNB is invaluable to clinical decision-making in patients presenting with melanoma. However, the indications for SLNB, specifically among patients with thin (<1 mm) or thick (>4 mm) melanomas, remain unclear. A number of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed outlining recommendations for the role of lymph node biopsy in the management of melanoma. However, to date, their quality has not been critically appraised. Our objective was to systematically evaluate all available CPGs on this topic using the validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. Four total guidelines met the inclusion criteria and underwent appraisal. Only one CPG achieved a "high" quality rating, indicating scores of >60% in at least five of the six AGREE II domains. Across all CPGs, the lowest scoring domains were "Applicability" and "Stakeholder involvement," which had average scores of 41.2% and 48.3%, respectively. Based on the AGREE II instrument, the quality of existing CPGs for the indications of SLNB for melanoma is low. Future guidelines should be pilot tested to evaluate barriers to application and should utilize multidisciplinary guideline development teams that include patients and key stakeholders in addition to clinical experts from all relevant disciplines.

Clinical practice guidelines for management of medullary thyroid carcinoma: An AGREE II appraisal

PURPOSE

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare and aggressive form of thyroid neoplasia that requires multidisciplinary collaboration for effective management. We systematically appraise the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the diagnosis and treatment of MTC using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify CPGs pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of MTC. Data were abstracted from guidelines meeting inclusion criteria and appraised by four independent reviewers in the six domains of quality defined by the AGREE II. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated across domains to qualify interrater reliability.

RESULTS

Fourteen guidelines met inclusion criteria. No guideline achieved a score of >60 % in five or more AGREE II quality domains, which is required to gain designation as 'high' quality. One "average quality" guideline authored by the British Thyroid Association achieved a score of >60 % in three quality domains. The remaining thirteen (92.9 %) CPGs demonstrated low quality content, with deficits most pronounced in domains 3, 5, and 6, suggesting a lack of rigorously developed, clinically applicable, and transparent information.

CONCLUSIONS

As the diagnosis and treatment of MTC continues to evolve, the development of high-quality guidelines becomes increasingly important; few existing meet appropriate standards.

Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress of cancer patients using the AGREE II instrument

Objective

This study aimed to assess the quality of the clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress among cancer patients and provide users with recommendations for coping with psychological distress.

Methods

A systematic search of relevant clinical practice guidelines was undertaken to identify and select the clinical practice guidelines related to psychological distress among cancer patients. Literature databases were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica Database, the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang and Weipu Journal Database. The guideline databases include Yimaitong Guidelines Network, National Guideline Clearinghouse, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), New Zealand Guidelines Group, Scottish Intercollegiate GuidelinesNetwork, American Psychological Association, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). Four independent reviewers assessed the eligible guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

Results

Six clinical practice guidelines were included and assessed for critical evaluation. The median score for the scope and purpose domain was 71.5% (IQR 64%-77.25%), the stakeholder involvement domain was 65% (IQR 47.5%-74.5%), the rigour of the development domain was 61.5% (IQR 45.5%-85.25%), the clarity of the presentation domain was 91% (IQR 72.25%-94.5%), the applicability domain was 70% (IQR 33%-78.75%), and the editorial independence domain was 48.84% (IQR 61.75%-95%). Four guidelines (ASCO, 2014; Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, 2015; NCCN, 2020, and CCO, 2016) were classified as "recommended," and the remaining (European Palliative Care Research Collaborative and Chinese Psychosocial Oncology Society) were "recommended with modifications," especially in the domains of Stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, and applicability. The inter-rater consistency of each domain showed moderate level (0.52-0.90) analyzing by intraclass correlation.

Conclusions

The clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress among cancer patients varied in quality, and there were discrepancies in terms of the recommendations and recommendation grades. These findings could contribute to improving the quality of clinical practice guidelines on psychological distress, and enable the development and implementation of evidence-based guidelines for cancer patients.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020209204.

Quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for the use of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of thyroid nodules and cancer

INTRODUCTION

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained significant recent global interest in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. It is a relatively new, minimally invasive, thermal ablation technique that is an alternative to surgery. Several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), consensus statements, and recommendations currently exist for the use of RFA in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers. These documents have considerable variability amongst them, and to date, their quality and methodologic rigor have not been appraised.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and perform a quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for RFA in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases from inception to November 1, 2021. Four reviewers independently evaluated each guideline using the AGREE II instrument. Scaled domain scores were generated and the threshold used for satisfactory quality was >60%. Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to determine level of agreement between reviewers.

RESULTS

Seven guidelines were selected for final evaluation based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two guidelines were classified "high" quality, one "average" quality, and the rest "low" quality. The "Clarity and Presentation" (65.68 ± 26.1) and "Editorial Independence" (61.32 ± 25.8) domains received the highest mean scores, while the "Applicability" (32.14 ± 22.8) and "Rigor of Development" (45.02 ± 29.8) domains received the lowest mean scores. ICC statistical analysis showed high magnitude of agreement between reviewers with a range of (0.722-0.944).

CONCLUSION

Reflecting upon our quality appraisal, it is evident that the quality and methodologic rigor of RFA guidelines can be improved upon in the future. Our findings also elucidate the existing variability/discrepancies amongst guidelines in the indications and use of RFA.

Clinical practice guidelines for pain management after tonsillectomy: Systematic quality appraisal using the AGREE II instrument

PURPOSE

We identified and appraised clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the management of post-tonsillectomy pain using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) guideline research tool.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a literature search to identify CPGs addressing pain management after tonsillectomy. CPGs meeting inclusion criteria were then appraised by four independent reviewers in six areas of quality, as defined by AGREE II. Scaled domain scores were calculated for each quality domain. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated in each domain to assess interrater reliability across guideline appraisals.

RESULTS

Nine guidelines meeting inclusion criteria were identified from a systematic search of the literature. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guideline detailing tonsillectomy and postoperative management in pediatric patients received the highest average score, with a mean of 90.1% in the six areas of quality. Three guidelines scored higher than >60% in five domains or more, defining 'high' quality per AGREE II: AAO-HNS, Scottish Intercollegiate Guides Network (SIGN), and Ontario Ministry of Health CPGs. The highest-scoring domain was domain 4: Clarity of presentation (87.4%) across guidelines, while the lowest scoring domain was domain 5: Applicability (49.4%). Variability in scaled domain scores between all CPGs was relatively consistent across domains, with a mean standard deviation of 22.4%. The average ICC calculated across all six domains was 0.78, indicating 'strong agreement' between reviewers regarding guideline quality.

CONCLUSION

Of the nine available guidelines detailing pain management following tonsillectomy we identified, only three (33%) were deemed 'high'-quality after appraisal using the AGREE II instrument, suggesting a need for development of novel, methodologically rigorous CPGs.

Quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for temporomandibular joint disorders using the AGREE II instrument

OBJECTIVE

We sought to systematically assess the quality of all clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) describing diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument.

STUDY DESIGN

CPGs detailing all aspects of diagnosis and management (both conservative and nonconservative) for TMDs were reviewed.

RESULTS

Thirteen guidelines met inclusion criteria. The highest-scoring domain across guidelines was clarity of presentation (68.3%); the lowest-scoring domain was editorial independence (31.9%). The highest-scoring guideline described traditional Korean medicine approaches to the management of TMDs, earning a mean score of 79.2% across the six quality domains. Only three CPGs met a quality threshold of >60% in at least five domains, qualifying as 'high' per the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation criteria: these guidelines were the Korean medicine guidelines, Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) guidelines for diagnostic classification of TMDs, and the Japanese Society for the Temporomandibular Joint guidelines. An average intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.79 was calculated across all domains, denoting very strong agreement between independent reviewers.

CONCLUSION

We identified a significant lack of quality in multiple areas of CPG development for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of TMDs, suggesting a need for new comprehensive and rigorously developed guidelines addressing TMDs.

A systematic review of newborn and childhood hearing screening around the world: comparison and quality assessment of guidelines

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the quality of global guidelines or consensus statements for newborn and childhood hearing screening, as well as to compare various guidelines between other countries and China.

METHODS

A PROSPERO registered systematic review (number CRD42021242198) was conducted. Multiple electronic databases and government websites including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Cochrane Library, and BMJ Best Practice were searched from inception until May 2021. The latest national and international guidelines, consensus statements, technical specifications, and recommendations regarding newborn or childhood hearing screening that were published in Chinese or English medical journals or elsewhere with the full version available online. The following information was extracted independently by two reviewers for comparative analysis: titles, authors, publication year, country, the source organization, and main key recommendations using systems for assigning the level of evidence and strength of recommendations. The quality of the guidelines was assessed by three independent reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess among-reviewer agreement.

RESULTS

We assessed 15 newborn and 6 childhood hearing screening guidelines, respectively. Most newborn guidelines recommend the 1-3-6 guidelines and pre-discharge screening; however, the specific screening times differ. 93.33% of newborn hearing guidelines recommend "primary screening-re-screening-diagnosis-intervention" for well-babies while 73.33% of the guidelines recommend "initial screening-diagnosis-intervention" for newborns in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); 33.33% of the newborn hearing guidelines recommended initial screening coverage of > 95% while 46.66% did not mention it. Further, 26.66% of the newborn hearing guidelines recommended a referral rate to diagnosis within 4% while 60% did not mention it. Regarding childhood hearing screening guidelines, the screening populations differed across guidelines (age range: 0-9 years); most guidelines recommend pediatric hearing screening for all preschoolers. Only 50% of the guidelines specify screening and re-screening techniques, including pure-tone hearing screening, OAE, tympanometry, and others. The "Clarity of Presentation" domain achieved the highest mean score, and the lowest was "Editorial Independence" both in newborn and childhood guidelines. Overall score of newborn hearing screening guidelines ranged from 3 (2018 Europe) to 7 (2019 America), with an average score of 5.33. Average score of childhood hearing screening guidelines was 4.78, with the score ranging from 4 (2017 England, 2012 Europe, 2016 WHO) to 6.67 (2011 America). ICC analysis revealed excellent agreement across 21 guidelines (> 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicated newborn hearing screening guidelines had superior quality over childhood ones. Comparative analysis suggested that recommendations of the Chinese newborn and pediatric hearing screening protocols are consistent with the mainstream international opinion. Moreover, this analysis demonstrated that "Editorial Independence" and "Stakeholder Involvement" have the greatest opportunities for improvement. These results may help to advance the quality of hearing screening guidelines in clinical practice and guide evidence-based updates.

Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Management of Breakthrough Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) Instrument

BACKGROUND

Several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), consensus statements, and recommendations currently exist for the diagnosis and management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP). These documents have considerable variability amongst them, and to date, their quality and methodologic rigor have not been appraised.

AIM

We aim to identify and perform a quality appraisal of CPGs for the diagnosis and management of BTcP using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases up until January 1, 2021. Four reviewers independently evaluated each guideline using the AGREE II instrument. Scaled domain scores were generated and the threshold used for satisfactory quality was >60%. Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to determine level of agreement between reviewers.

RESULTS

Eleven guidelines were selected for final evaluation based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Only one guideline was classified of "average" quality while the rest were classified as "low" quality. The "Editorial Independence" (70.46 ± 35.7) and "Scope and Purpose" (64.78 ± 12.5) domains received the highest mean scores, while the "Applicability" (32.58 ± 13.5) and "Rigor of Development" (35.04 ± 9.0) domains received the lowest mean scores. ICC statistical analysis showed high magnitude of agreement between reviewers with a range of (0.790-0.988).

CONCLUSIONS

Reflecting upon our quality appraisal, it is evident that the quality and methodologic rigor of BTcP guidelines can be improved upon in the future. Our findings also elucidate the existing variability/discrepancies among guidelines in diagnostic criteria and management of BTcP.

Clinical Practice Guidelines on Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Quality Appraisal of International Guidelines

PURPOSE

While regurgitation is a common and often benign phenomenon in infants and younger children, it can also be a presenting symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If untreated, GERD can lead to dangerous or lifelong complications. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been published to inform clinical diagnosis and management of pediatric GERD, but to date there has been no comprehensive review of guideline quality or methodological rigor.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed, and a total of eight CPGs pertaining to pediatric GERD were identified. These CPGs were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument.

RESULTS

Three CPGs were found to be "high" quality, with 5 of 6 domains scoring >60%, one "average" quality, with 4 of 6 domains meeting that threshold, and the remaining four "low" quality.

CONCLUSION

Areas of strength among the CPGs included "Scope and Purpose" and "Clarity and Presentation," as they tended to be well-written and easily understood. Areas in need of improvement were "Stakeholder Involvement," "Rigor of Development," and "Applicability," suggesting these CPGs may not be appropriate for all patients or providers. This analysis found that while strong CPGs pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric GERD exist, many published guidelines lack methodological rigor and broad applicability.

A systematic quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for Ménière's disease using the AGREE II instrument

PURPOSE

To systematically appraise clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify guidelines pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease. Data were abstracted from guidelines that met inclusion criteria and appraised by four independent reviewers in the six domains of quality defined by the AGREE II. Domain scores reflecting quality in each domain were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated across domains to qualify interrater reliability.

RESULTS

Six guidelines were found to meet inclusion criteria after a systematic literature search. Of the six clinical practice guidelines appraised using the AGREE II, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guideline received the highest average score, with a mean of 90.7% spanning six quality domains. The guideline with the lowest average score across all domains was the European Position Statement on diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease, receiving an average score across domains of 34.6%. Overall quality scores of clinical practice guidelines for Ménière's disease had a standard deviation of 21.3%. Two guidelines met the quality threshold of > 60% in at least five domains, qualifying as 'high': AAO-HNS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Average ICC across all six domains was 0.87, suggesting near total agreement between reviewers.

CONCLUSION

Ménière's disease remains a challenging entity to diagnose and treat; few existing clinical guidelines meet the standards of quality established by the AGREE II appraisal instrument.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Quality Appraisal Using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II Instrument

ABSTRACT

Patients with cleft lip and/or palate require complex and longitudinal care by a multidisciplinary cleft team. Unfortunately, delivery of cleft care is often fragmented, and care practices can vary significantly. Multiple clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been proposed to provide a standardized framework for cleft care delivery. As CPGs have gained popularity, there has been increasing demand to maintain the quality of existing guidelines. A comprehensive search of EMBASE, MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and grey literature sources published from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2020 was conducted to identify CPGs for the care of cleft patients. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition II tool was used to assess the quality of selected CPGs. Intraclass coefficients were calculated to assess agreement among appraisers. Eleven guidelines were identified for study inclusion. One guideline was classified as "high" quality by Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II criteria, and the remaining guidelines were classified as "average" or "low" quality. The "Clarity of Presentation" domain achieved the highest mean score (76.9% ± 11.7%) across CPGs, whereas the "Rigor of Development" domain scored the lowest (35.6% ± 21.2%). Intraclass coefficients analysis reflected very good inter-rater reliability across all domains (0.853-0.987). These findings highlight significant variability in the quality of existing CPGs for the global management of patients with cleft lip and/or palate. The "Rigor of Development" domain reflects the greatest opportunity for improvement. Given these findings, future guidelines may prioritize incorporating a systematic review of existing evidence into recommendations.

Appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of neck masses in children

AIM

The purpose of this systematic review was to use the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation tool to assess the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the workup and management of paediatric neck masses.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and grey literature were searched to identify CPG incorporating paediatric neck masses. Four authors with previous training of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation tool evaluated the included studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies met inclusion criteria. The highest scoring domains were 'Scope and Purpose' (74.0 ± 4.5) and 'Clarity of Presentation' (72.9 ± 6.3). The lowest scoring domains were 'Rigour and Development' (18.8 ± 7.5) and 'Applicability' (23.7 ± 6.1). One study was 'High' quality, three received scores of 'Average' and five were found to be 'Low' quality.

CONCLUSION

The majority of paediatric neck mass CPGs were low to average quality. The domains in need of greatest improvement were 'Rigour and Development' and 'Applicability', suggesting significant concerns in current CPGs focused on paediatric neck masses.