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Rethlefsen ML, Brigham TJ, Price C, Moher D, Bouter LM, Kirkham JJ, Schroter S, Zeegers MP. Systematic review search strategies are poorly reported and not reproducible: a cross-sectional metaresearch study. J Clin Epidemiol 2024; 166:111229. [PMID: 38052277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.111229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the reproducibility of biomedical systematic review search strategies. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional reproducibility study was conducted on a random sample of 100 systematic reviews indexed in MEDLINE in November 2021. The primary outcome measure is the percentage of systematic reviews for which all database searches can be reproduced, operationalized as fulfilling six key Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses literature search extension (PRISMA-S) reporting guideline items and having all database searches reproduced within 10% of the number of original results. Key reporting guideline items included database name, multi-database searching, full search strategies, limits and restrictions, date(s) of searches, and total records. RESULTS The 100 systematic review articles contained 453 database searches. Only 22 (4.9%) database searches reported all six PRISMA-S items. Forty-seven (10.4%) database searches could be reproduced within 10% of the number of results from the original search; six searches differed by more than 1,000% between the originally reported number of results and the reproduction. Only one systematic review article provided the necessary search details to be fully reproducible. CONCLUSION Systematic review search reporting is poor. To correct this will require a multifaceted response from authors, peer reviewers, journal editors, and database providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Rethlefsen
- Health Sciences Library & Informatics Center, University of New Mexico, MSC 09 5100, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Tara J Brigham
- Library Services-Florida, Mayo Clinic Libraries, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Carrie Price
- Albert S. Cook Library, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252, USA
| | - David Moher
- Centre for Journalology, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, Centre for Practice Changing Research Building, 501 Smyth Road, PO BOX 201B, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Lex M Bouter
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie J Kirkham
- Centre for Biostatistics, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Sara Schroter
- BMJ, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, UK; Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Maurice P Zeegers
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; MBP Holding, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Carlson RB, Martin JR, Beckett RD. Ten simple rules for interpreting and evaluating a meta-analysis. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011461. [PMID: 37768880 PMCID: PMC10538771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca B. Carlson
- Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jennifer R. Martin
- Health Sciences Library, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Robert D. Beckett
- Department of Pharmacy, Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America
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Cannarella R, Shah R, Boitrelle F, Saleh R, Durairajanayagam D, Harraz AM, Agarwal A. Need for Training in Research Methodology Prior to Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and the Effectiveness of an Online Training Program: The Global Andrology Forum Model. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:342-353. [PMID: 36593714 PMCID: PMC10042656 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) are used to generate evidence-based guidelines. Although the number of SRMAs published in the literature has increased dramatically in the last decade, the training and the experience of the researchers performing the SRMAs are usually not explained in the SRMAs' methodology, and this may be a source of bias. Although some studies pointed out the need for quality control of SRMAs and training in proper statistical methods, to the best of our knowledge, no study has reported the importance of training the researchers that conduct the SRMAs. The aim of this study is to describe a training program designed to impart the essential knowledge and skills required for the conduct of an SRMA and to assess the need for, and outcome of, such a training. MATERIALS AND METHODS Researchers were trained for use of Scopus, study eligibility, assessment of the quality of evidence (QoE) through the Cambridge Quality Checklist for observational studies, as well as the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines, and the Jadad score for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) questions and data extraction. A total of 35 of them were approved to join a planned SRMA. At the end of the SRMA, they were administered 43 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on demographics, motivation for participation in the SRMA, self-perceived change in knowledge before and after conducting the SRMA, and self-assessment of performance. The senior researchers then revised the spreadsheet of the SRMA and, based on the mistakes found, organized a training focused on the correct assessment of the study design, where 43 researchers (9 joined midway) and 11 trainees with no experience in conducting SRMA attended. They all were tested through a 5 MCQ assessment that was administered before and after the training. Those scoring poorly were re-trained and re-tested, and only those scoring satisfactorily were admitted to further SRMAs. RESULTS Approximately 54.3% of the participants were medical doctors (MD), 31.4% were urologists and 48.6% had previous experience with SRMAs. Joining an international collaborative study was the main motivation, chosen by 19.7% of researchers. The results of the self-perceived change in knowledge showed a significant improvement in the use of Scopus, checklists for QoE, PICO questions, data required to perform a meta-analysis, and critical reading of scientific articles. Also, the majority of the researchers ranked the quality of their work as high. The pre-test results of the 5 MCQ showed a low score, which was not different from that achieved by a group of fresh trainees (median, 2; IQR 1-3 vs. median, 1; IQR, 1-2; p=0.3). Post-training there was significant improvement in both groups (researchers: median, 4; IQR, 3-5 vs. median, 2; IQR, 1-3; p<0.001; trainees: median, 4; IQR, 3-4 vs. median, 1; IQR, 1-2; p=0.02). Out of the 44 researchers, 12 (27.3%) scored poorly (≤3). After re-training, all of them scored satisfactorily (>3) and were admitted to subsequent SRMAs. CONCLUSIONS At the end of our model, 100% of researchers participating in this study were validated to be included in a meta-analysis. This validation required the involvement of the MT, two meetings, a self-evaluation survey, and one or two sets of objective tests with explanations and corrections. Our results indicate that even well-trained clinicians are naïve when it comes to the methodology of SRMA. All the researchers performing an SRMA need comprehensive training that must cover each aspect of the SRMA methodology. This paper provides a replicable training program that could be used by other investigators to train the researchers to perform high-quality SRMAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rupin Shah
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, Poissy, France
- Department of Biology, Reproduction, Epigenetics, Environment and Development, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmed M Harraz
- Mansoura University Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Surgery, Urology Unit, Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Department of Urology, Sabah Al Ahmad Urology Center, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Twine CP, Mani K. A Brief Guide to Performing Review and Meta-analysis of Rare Diseases, Procedures, and Other Low Frequency Pathology. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2022; 64:297-298. [PMID: 35934224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Mani
- Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala university, Uppsala, Sweden
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Demetres MR, Wright DN, Delgado D. Supporting Consensus Statements: Considerations and Recommendations for a Systematic Review Service. Med Ref Serv Q 2021; 40:347-354. [PMID: 34752190 DOI: 10.1080/02763869.2021.1987771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly, a critical eye has been placed on the methodological quality of consensus statements. As expert systematic review (SR) methodologists, librarians are often called on to support consensus statement work. Using the Weill Cornell Medicine Samuel J. Wood Library's SR Service experience as a guide, the aim of this paper is to answer three main questions regarding librarians supporting consensus statement work: (1) What is a consensus statement? (2) What is consensus statement methodology and how does this compare to practice guidelines? (3) What are important and practical points to consider when supporting this kind of request?
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R Demetres
- Samuel J. Wood Library & C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, USA
| | - Drew N Wright
- Samuel J. Wood Library & C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, USA
| | - Diana Delgado
- Samuel J. Wood Library & C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, USA
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Hu J, Liu X, Yan J, Li T. Letter to the Editor Regarding "Biportal Endoscopic Spinal Surgery Versus Microscopic Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". World Neurosurg 2021; 154:180. [PMID: 34583477 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.06.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, Sichuan People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiling Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Sichuan People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingxin Yan
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Sichuan People's Hospital, Chengdu, China; Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China.
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Abstract
This article aims to provide an overview of the structure, form and content of systematic reviews. It focuses in particular on the literature searching component, and covers systematic database searching techniques, searching for grey literature and the importance of librarian involvement in the search. It also covers systematic review reporting standards such as PRISMA-P and PRISMA, critical appraisal and tools and resources to support the review and ensure it is conducted efficiently and effectively. Finally, it summarizes the requirements when screening search results for inclusion in the review, and the statistical synthesis of included studies' findings.
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Gaeta L, Stark RK, Ofili E. Methodological Considerations for Auditory Training Interventions for Adults With Hearing Loss: A Rapid Review. Am J Audiol 2021; 30:211-225. [PMID: 33561357 DOI: 10.1044/2020_aja-20-00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate literature on auditory training published since 2013. Method A rapid review or a streamlined approach to systematically identify and summarize relevant studies was performed. Selected health sciences databases were searched using a search strategy developed with the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) framework. Studies eligible for inclusion had older adult participants with hearing loss and utilized technology-based auditory training in laboratory or home settings. Results The study quality of most studies was found to be low to moderate, with concentrations between low and moderate. Major issues were related to study design and reporting, such as the need for blinding and a control group, larger sample sizes, and a follow-up for long-term outcomes of auditory training interventions. Wide variability in training approaches, participant backgrounds (e.g., audiograms, hearing aid use), and outcome measures are also noted. Conclusions Evidence on the effectiveness of auditory training is mixed. Future research should include high-quality randomized controlled trials with representative populations; follow-up periods to study long-term effects; and exploration of behavioral, electrophysiological, and self-reported outcome measures. Recommendations for study designs and methodologies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gaeta
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, California State University, Sacramento
| | | | - Erika Ofili
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, California State University, Sacramento
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Gaudino M, Fremes S, Bagiella E, Bangalore S, Demetres M, D'Ascenzo F, Biondi-Zoccai G, Di Franco A. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Cardiac Surgery: Rules of the Road - Part 1. Ann Thorac Surg 2020; 111:754-761. [PMID: 32717235 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.05.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The number of cardiac surgical meta-analyses and systematic reviews published in the last decades has constantly increased, paralleling the exponential growth observed in virtually all other medical fields. Meta-analyses are open to methodological flaws, however, if best practices are not strictly followed. Assessment of the appropriateness of the research question is a crucial first step. Once a protocol has been developed, this should be registered before the work is initiated. The cornerstone of any systematic review or meta-analysis is a rigorous, comprehensive, and most of all reproducible, search that follows a prespecified and clear strategy. Eligibility criteria must be discussed and agreed upon in advance to guide final study selection, which ultimately lays the foundation for subsequent data extraction. In case of missing or partially reported data, the authors of the original papers should be contacted. Adherence to rigorous methodological rules at each of these stages will warrant availability of good quality data for formal statistical analyses. The aim of the first part of this expert review is to discuss the limits and pitfalls of the meta-analytic approach and provide guidance on how to perform trial-level meta-analyses, with particular reference to the identification of an appropriate research question, the definition and registration of the protocol, the search strategy, the study selection, and the data abstraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Gaudino
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
| | - Stephen Fremes
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Schulich Heart Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emilia Bagiella
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Sripal Bangalore
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Michelle Demetres
- Samuel J. Wood Library and C.V. Starr Biomedical Information Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Fabrizio D'Ascenzo
- Division of Cardiology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy; Mediterranea Cardiocentro, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Franco
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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