The issue of grading evidence is a tremendously important
contribution to
public health. However, the hierarchy of availability of drugs within the
grades
of evidence needs to be considered. When GRADE strongly recommends a
treatment for a condition, the drug needs to be available within most
contexts.
For example, it is useful to know the ultimate first-line antiretroviral
treatment
for HIV/AIDS, but has little role in actual practice in Africa. Could
GRADE
consider optimal first-line and second-line treatments, etc. in their
recommendations?
Rapid Response:
GRADES of Evidence need local relevance
The issue of grading evidence is a tremendously important contribution to public health. However, the hierarchy of availability of drugs within the grades of evidence needs to be considered. When GRADE strongly recommends a treatment for a condition, the drug needs to be available within most contexts. For example, it is useful to know the ultimate first-line antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS, but has little role in actual practice in Africa. Could GRADE consider optimal first-line and second-line treatments, etc. in their recommendations?
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests