Education and debate

Systematic Reviews: Rationale for systematic reviews

Divisions of General Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 70284, USA.

Systematic literature reviews including meta-analyses are invaluable scientific activities. The rationale for such reviews is well established. Health care providers, researchers, and policy makers are inundated with unmanageable amounts of information; they need systematic reviews to efficiently integrate existing information and provide data for rational decision making. Systematic reviews establish whether scientific findings are consistent and can be generalised across populations, settings, and treatment variations, or whether findings vary significantly by particular subsets. Meta-analyses in particular can increase power and precision of estimates of treatment effects and exposure risks. Finally explicit methods used in systematic reviews limit bias and, hopefully, will improve reliability and accuracy of conclusions.

Systematic literature review is a fundamental scientific activity. Its rationale is grounded firmly in several premises. Firstly, large quantities of information must be reduced into palatable pieces for digestion. Over two million articles are published annually in the biomedical literature in over . . . [Full text of this article]

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    StumbleUpon    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Systematic reviews of diagnostic tests in cancer: review of methods and reporting

Susan Mallett, Jonathan J Deeks, Steve Halligan, Sally Hopewell, Victoria Cornelius, and Douglas G Altman
BMJ 2006 333: 413. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Hawke, F., Burns, J., Landorf, K. B. (2009). Evidence-Based Podiatric Medicine: Importance of Systematic Reviews in Clinical Practice. J. Am. Podiatr. Med. Assoc. 99: 260-266 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Bereza, B. G, Machado, M., Einarson, T. R (2008). Assessing the Reporting and Scientific Quality of Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials of Treatments for Anxiety Disorders. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 42: 1402-1409 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• SCHADEL-HOPFNER, M., WINDOLF, J., ANTES, G., SAUERLAND, S., DIENER, M. K. (2008). Evidence-Based Hand Surgery: The Role of Cochrane Reviews. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 33: 110-117 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Stead, M., McDermott, L., Hastings, G. (2007). Towards evidence-based marketing: the case of childhood obesity. Marketing Theory 7: 379-406 [Abstract]  
• Handoll, H. H. G., Gillespie, W. J., Gillespie, L. D., Madhok, R. (2007). Moving towards evidence-based healthcare for musculoskeletal injuries: featuring the work of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group. The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 127: 168-173 [Abstract]  
• O'Leary, N., Tiernan, E., Walsh, D., Lucey, N., Kirkova, J., Davis, M. P. (2007). The Pitfalls of a Systematic MEDLINE Review in Palliative Medicine: Symptom Assessment Instruments. AM J HOSP PALLIAT CARE 24: 181-184 [Abstract]  
• Walker, S., Palmer, S., Sculpher, M. (2007). The role of NICE technology appraisal in NHS rationing. Br Med Bull 0: ldm007v1-14 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Reider, B. (2007). Announcing a Prize Competition: Reviewing Systematically. Am J Sports Med 35: 187-188 [Full text]  
• Taylor, M. J., Freemantle, N., Geddes, J. R., Bhagwagar, Z. (2006). Early Onset of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressant Action: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.. Arch Gen Psychiatry 63: 1217-1223 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Mallett, S., Deeks, J. J, Halligan, S., Hopewell, S., Cornelius, V., Altman, D. G (2006). Systematic reviews of diagnostic tests in cancer: review of methods and reporting. BMJ 333: 413- [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Akobeng, A K (2005). Understanding systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Arch. Dis. Child. 90: 845-848 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Cooper, N. J, Jones, D. R, Sutton, A. J (2005). The use of systematic reviews when designing studies. Clin Trials 2: 260-264 [Abstract]  
• Guzelian, P. S, Victoroff, M. S, Halmes, N C., James, R. C, Guzelian, C. P (2005). Evidence-based toxicology: a comprehensive framework for causation. Hum Exp Toxicol 24: 161-201 [Abstract]  
• Chalmers, R.M., Thomas, D.Rh., Salmon, R.L. (2005). Borna disease virus and the evidence for human pathogenicity: a systematic review. QJM 98: 255-274 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Cheng, D. C. H., Martin, J. E. (2005). Raising the Bar: A Primer On Evidence-Based Decision-Making. SEMIN CARDIOTHORAC VASC ANESTH 9: 1-4  
• Kujan, O., Glenny, A.-M., Duxbury, J., Thakker, N., Sloan, P. (2005). Evaluation of Screening Strategies for Improving Oral Cancer Mortality: A Cochrane Systematic Review. J Dent Educ 69: 255-265 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Meyer, R. M., Ambinder, R. F., Stroobants, S. (2004). Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Evolving Concepts with Implications for Practice. ASH Education Book 2004: 184-202 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Grimshaw, J, McAuley, L M, Bero, L A, Grilli, R, Oxman, A D, Ramsay, C, Vale, L, Zwarenstein, M (2003). Systematic reviews of the effectiveness of quality improvement strategies and programmes. Qual Saf Health Care 12: 298-303 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Dopson, S., Locock, L., Gabbay, J., Ferlie, E., Fitzgerald, L. (2003). Evidence-Based Medicine and the Implementation Gap. Health (London) 7: 311-330 [Abstract]  
• Petticrew, M. (2003). Why certain systematic reviews reach uncertain conclusions. BMJ 326: 756-758 [Full text]  
• Hawker, S., Payne, S., Kerr, C., Hardey, M., Powell, J. (2002). Appraising the Evidence: Reviewing Disparate Data Systematically. Qual Health Res 12: 1284-1299 [Abstract]  
• Al-Ansary, L. A, Khoja, T. A (2002). The place of evidence-based medicine among primary health care physicians in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. Fam Pract 19: 537-542 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Wang, L, Turner, M O, Elwood, R K, Schulzer, M, FitzGerald, J M (2002). A meta-analysis of the effect of Bacille Calmette Guerin vaccination on tuberculin skin test measurements. Thorax 57: 804-809 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• de Kroon, J R, van der Lee, J H, IJzerman, M J, Lankhorst, G J (2002). Therapeutic electrical stimulation to improve motor control and functional abilities of the upper extremity after stroke: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil 16: 350-360 [Abstract]  
• Greener, J, Langhorne, P (2002). Systematic reviews in rehabilitation for stroke: issues and approaches to addressing them. Clin Rehabil 16: 69-74 [Abstract]  
• Olsen, O., Middleton, P., Ezzo, J., Gotzsche, P. C, Hadhazy, V., Herxheimer, A., Kleijnen, J., McIntosh, H. (2001). Quality of Cochrane reviews: assessment of sample from 1998. BMJ 323: 829-832 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Ernst, E., Pittler, M. H (2001). Assessment of therapeutic safety in systematic reviews: literature review. BMJ 323: 546-546 [Full text]  
• Stuart, G. W. (2001). Evidence-Based Psychiatric Nursing Practice: Rhetoric or Reality. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 7: 103-114 [Abstract]  
• Ernst, E., Pittler, M. H. (2001). Systematic Reviews Neglect Safety Issues. Arch Intern Med 161: 125-126 [Full text]  
• Campbell, M. K., Daly, C., Wallace, S. A., Cody, D. J., Donaldson, C., Grant, A. M., Khan, I. H., Lawrence, P., Vale, L., MacLeod, A. M. (2000). Evidence-based medicine in nephrology: identifying and critically appraising the literature. Nephrol Dial Transplant 15: 1950-1955 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Tasche, M J A, Uijen, J H J M, Bernsen, R M D, de Jongste, J C, van der Wouden, J C (2000). Inhaled disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) as maintenance therapy in children with asthma: a systematic review. Thorax 55: 913-920 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Clarke, M., Wilt, T. J. (2000). Quality of Evidence for Treatment of Prostate Cancer. JAMA 284: 1785-1786 [Full text]  
• Arrivé, L., Renard, R., Carrat, F., Belkacem, A., Dahan, H., Le Hir, P., Monnier-Cholley, L., Tubiana, J.-M. (2000). A Scale of Methodological Quality for Clinical Studies of Radiologic Examinations. Radiology 217: 69-74 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Burke, D., BMed, (2000). Review: studies of different interventions have mixed results for psychosocial outcomes after stroke. Evid. Based Ment. Health 3: 80-80 [Full text]  
• Bakker, J P J, de Groot, I J M, Beckerman, H, de Jong, B A, Lankhorst, G J (2000). The effects of knee-ankle-foot orthoses in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: review of the literature. Clin Rehabil 14: 343-359 [Abstract]  
• Harrison, J. E. (2000). Evidence-based Orthodontics: Where do I find the Evidence?. J. Orthod. 27: 71-78 [Full text]  
• RANDALL, R. C., VRIJHOEF, M. M. A., WILSON, N. H. F. (2000). EFFICACY OF PREFORMED METAL CROWNS VS. AMALGAM RESTORATIONS: IN PRIMARY MOLARS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW. Journal of the American Dental Association 131: 337-343 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Bader, J., Ismail, A., Clarkson, J. (1999). Evidence-based Dentistry and the Dental Research Community. JDR 78: 1480-1483  
• Wahlbeck, K., Cheine, M., Essali, A., Adams, C. (1999). Evidence of Clozapine's Effectiveness in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. Am. J. Psychiatry 156: 990-999 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Lemmer, B., Grellier, R., Steven, J. (1999). Systematic Review of Nonrandom and Qualitative Research Literature: Exploring and Uncovering an Evidence Base for Health Visiting and Decision Making. Qual Health Res 9: 315-328 [Abstract]  
• Peersman, G., Harden, A., Oliver, S., Oakley, A. (1999). Discrepancies in findings from effectiveness reviews: the case of health promotion interventions to change cholesterol levels. Health Education Journal 58: 192-202 [Abstract]  
• Njoo, M. D., Spuls, P. I., Bos, J. D., Westerhof, W., Bossuyt, P. M. M. (1998). Nonsurgical Repigmentation Therapies in Vitiligo: Meta-analysis of the Literature. Arch Dermatol 134: 1532-1540 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Williams, H., Adetugbo, K., Po, A. L. W., Naldi, L., Diepgen, T., Murrell, D. (1998). The Cochrane Skin Group: Preparing, Maintaining, and Disseminating Systematic Reviews of Clinical Interventions in Dermatology. Arch Dermatol 134: 1620-1626 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Bero, L. A, Grilli, R., Grimshaw, J. M, Harvey, E., Oxman, A. D, Thomson, M. A. (1998). Getting research findings into practice: Closing the gap between research and practice: an overview of systematic reviews of interventions to promote the implementation of research findings. BMJ 317: 465-468 [Full text]  
• Haines, A., Donald, A. (1998). Getting research findings into practice: Making better use of research findings. BMJ 317: 72-75 [Full text]  
• Barnes, D. E., Bero, L. A. (1998). Why Review Articles on the Health Effects of Passive Smoking Reach Different Conclusions. JAMA 279: 1566-1570 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Moher, D. (1998). CONSORT: An Evolving Tool to Help Improve the Quality of Reports of Randomized Controlled Trials. JAMA 279: 1489-1491 [Full text]  
• Siegel, R. H. (1998). Contempo New and Now: Updates Linking Evidence and Experience. JAMA 279: 1395-1396 [Full text]  
• Popay, J., Rogers, A., Williams, G. (1998). Rationale and Standards for the Systematic Review of Qualitative Literature in Health Services Research. Qual Health Res 8: 341-351 [Abstract]  
• Kerridge, I., Lowe, M., Henry, D. (1998). Personal paper: Ethics and evidence based medicine. BMJ 316: 1151-1153 [Full text]  
• Geddes, J., Reynolds, S., Streiner, D., Szatmari, P., Haynes, B. (1998). Evidence-based practice in mental health. Evid. Based Ment. Health 1: 4-5 [Full text]  
• Geddes, J., Reynolds, S., Streiner, D., Szatmari, P. (1997). Evidence based practice in mental health. BMJ 315: 1483-1484 [Full text]  
• Egger, M., Smith, G. D., Schneider, M., Minder, C. (1997). Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. BMJ 315: 629-634 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Duley, L. (1997). Commentary: Sources of bias must be controlled. BMJ 315: 220-220 [Full text]  
• (1997). Collaborative systematic review of the randomised trials of organised inpatient (stroke unit) care after stroke. BMJ 314: 1151-1151 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Richards, D M, Hill, J, Scott, N A, Bancewicz, J, Irving, M. (1995). Open technique has lower evidence of complications. BMJ 311: 1090a-1090 [Full text]  
• Stichele, R. H V., Dezeure, E. M, Bogaert, M. G (1995). Systematic review of clinical efficacy of topical treatments for head lice. BMJ 311: 604-608 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Wieland, D., Stuck, A. E., Siu, A. L., adams, J., Rubenstein, L. Z. (1995). Meta-Analytic Methods for Health Services Research: An Example from Geriatrics. Eval Health Prof 18: 252-282 [Abstract]  
• Coiera, E. (1995). Recent Advances: Medical informatics. BMJ 310: 1381-1387 [Full text]  
• Freemantle, N., Henry, D., Maynard, A., Torrance, G. (1995). Promoting cost effective prescribing. BMJ 310: 955-956 [Full text]