Objective To systematically review the methodological quality of guidelines concerning infertility, so as to provide references for clinical practice. Methods Guidelines concerning infertility were electronically retrieved (from inception to Feb. 2013) in PubMed, EMbase, CBM, WanFang Data, CNKI, GIN guideline database guideline development websites (including NGC, NICE, SIGN, NZGG, SOGC, etc.), and medical associtation websites (including IFFS, FIGO, ESHRE, NFOG, RCOG, ASRM, ACOG, etc.). We also searched Chinese guideline websites including the website of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of People’s Republic of China, CGC (China Guideline Clearinghouse), and CPGN (Clinical Practice Guideline Net). Two reviews independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assessed the quality of guideline development and reporting using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II). Results a) A total of 16 guidelines concerning infertility were included, with development time ranging from 1998 to 2012. Among 16 guidelines, 10 guidelines were made by the USA, 3 by Britan, 1 by the Europe, and 1 by America and Europe. b) The scores of guidelines according to the domains of AGREE II decreased from “Clarity of presentations, scope and purpose”, “Participants”, “Applicability”, “Rigour of development”, and “Editorial independence”. 16 guidelines were generally low in quality. The levels of recommendations were Level A (5 guidelines), Level B (8 guidelines), and Level C (3 guidelines). c) Four evidence-based guidelines scored the top three in the domain of “Rigour of development”. d) The recommendations of different guidelines were fairly the same. e) No guidelines on infertility have been developed in China. Conclusion a) The guidelines on infertility should be improved in “Rigour of development” and “Applicability” in future. Conficts of interest should be addressed. b) Guidelines are recommended to be developed on the basis of the methods of evidence-based medicine, and best evidence is recommended. c) National organizations such as ASRM should be established in China, so as to develop biomedicine and TCM guidelines based on evidence and regulate the treatment. d) For the general assessment of guidelines, AGREE II should offer threshold criteria of suggestion.
The publication of the 2016 version of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines is a further step to the treatment of sepsis worldwide. This version of guidelines approves new definition of Sepsis-3. Overall, the new guidelines do not change the previous principle of treatment significantly. Some detailed and specific modifications have been made. Understanding and rational use of the new guidelines based on clinical practice, are the key to managing sepsis and performing accurate and effective treatment.
Objective To evaluate quality and current status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) guidelines and consensus, and to promote the improvements in the quality of guidelines and consensus. Methods A systematic collection of TCM guidelines and consensus published in medical journals in 2022 was conducted. We used scientific, transparent, and applicable ranking tools (STAR) for evaluation, analyzed the scoring rates (%), and assessed the quality level and influencing factors of guidelines and consensus through methods such as comparison and stratification. Results A total of 130 TCM guidelines and consensus were included. Guideline areas with higher scores included recommendations (65.3%), evidence (55.9%), and guideline development groups (54.2%). In the case of consensus, higher scores were observed in recommendations (38.7%), guideline development groups (37.0%), and funding (30.0%). The total score rate of TCM guidelines exceeded that of national guidelines, while the consensus rate was lower. Stratified analysis revealed statistical differences in guideline score rates among journals and issuing institutions, as well as significant differences in consensus score rates among journals, formulation institutions, subjects, and funding categories. Conclusion The quantity and quality of TCM guidelines and consensus are on a positive trajectory, with higher quality levels in guidelines than in consensus. The overall quality of TCM guidelines surpasses that of national guidelines, particularly emphasizing the scientificity of guideline formulation. However, the overall quality of consensus remains lower than that of the national consensus. Factors such as journals, formulation institutions, subjects, and funding categories are identified as potential influences on the quality of TCM guidelines and consensus.
In November 2017, the American Heart Association updated the pediatric basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. The new guidelines focused on the clinical value of chest compression-only CPR versus CPR using chest compressions with rescue breaths in children, rather than a comprehensive revision of the 2015 edition guidelines. The Pediatric Task Force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation updated part content of the guidelines according to the continuous evidence review process. Guidelines recommend CPR using chest compressions with rescue breaths should be provided for infants and children with cardiac arrest. Bystanders provide chest compressions if they are unwilling or unable to deliver rescue breaths. This article mainly interprets the updated content.
To promote the accessibility and application of guidelines, it is necessary to establish a professional guideline database to adapt to the rapid growth of TCM clinical practice guidelines. This study described the framework design, technology module, information management, and quality control of the clinical practice guideline database of traditional Chinese medicine (G-TCM). G-TCM had included 658 TCM clinical practice guidelines, which would provide a platform for clinicians, researchers, guideline makers (revision), and evaluators to quickly query and obtain clinical guideline information, and play a supporting role in promoting the standardization and accessibility of TCM clinical practice guidelines and better guiding clinical practice.
Objective To explore the methods used for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture. Methods Based on the characteristics of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine,and principles of evidence-based medicine, this article introduces and summarizes the processes and methods for developing an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for acupuncture. We analyzed similarities and differences between clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and for other interventions. We used an evidence-based clinical practice guideline of acupuncture for depression as an example to illustrate the methods of literature search, grading of evidence and recommendations, evidence evaluation and consensus formation. Results Preliminary recommendations on the methods for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture were made. Conclusion Based on the optimized rational methodology for developing clinical guidelines, evidence-based high-quality clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture could be established.
ObjectiveTo compare the recommended medicines of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases guidelines, expert consensus, or diagnosis and treatment specifications with essential medicines from the 2023 World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (WHO-EML) and the 2018 National Essential Medicine List (NEML) in differences and similarities. MethodsSix guideline websites and one association website including Guidelines International Network and National Guideline Clearinghouse, etc. were searched from inception to July 2023. The latest cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases guidelines, expert consensus, diagnosis and treatment specifications involving medicine treatment were included, and we extracted the data (year, title, target disease, authors and recommended medicines), and the statistical analysis of recommended medicines included in the WHO-EML and NEML was performed by Excel 2016. ResultsA total of 83 guidelines, expert consensus, and diagnosis and treatment specifications were included, covering cerebrovascular diseases, ischemic heart diseases, hypertensive diseases, chronic rheumatic heart diseases, diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries and other unspecified circulatory system disorders. They were issued from 2002 to 2023. Fifty-five (66.3%) were published in the past 5 years. For the 246 recommended medicines, they were divided into 14 categories according to the pharmacological effect. 27.2% (67/246) were included in WHO-EML and 32.9% (81/246) were included in NEML, among which 41 medicines were included both in WHO-EML and NEML, 40 in NEML only, 26 in WHO-EML only, and 139 in neither. The number of excluded medicines in antihypertensive medicines, lipid-regulating medicines and antiatherosclerotic medicines and anticoagulants exceeded 10. ConclusionThe number of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease guidelines, expert consensus, and diagnosis and treatment specifications recommended for WHO-EML and NEML is lower than 50%, and the coverage rate of NEML for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease guidelines recommended treatment medicines is higher than that of WHO-EML.
In November 2019, the American Heart Association updated guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care. This update is not a comprehensive revision of the 2015 version. The updates for children and newborns mainly include three aspects: ① Pediatric basic life support: A. It is recommended that emergency medical dispatch centers offer dispatcher-assisted CPR instructions for presumed pediatric cardiac arrest. B. It is recommended that emergency dispatchers provide CPR instructions for pediatric cardiac arrest when no bystander CPR is in progress. ② Pediatric advanced life support: A. The bag-mask ventilation is reasonable compared with advanced airway interventions (endotracheal intubation or supraglottic airway) in the management of children during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). B. The extracorporeal CPR may be considered for pediatric patients with cardiac diagnoses who have in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in settings with existing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation protocols, expertise, and equipment. C. Continuous measurement of core temperature during targeted temperature management is recommended; for infants or children between 24 hours and 18 years of age who remain comatose after OHCA or IHCA, targeted temperature management is recommened. ③ Neonatal resuscitation: A. In term and late-preterm newborns (≥35 weeks of gestation) receiving respiratory support at birth, the initial use of 21% oxygen is reasonable. B. One hundred percent oxygen should not be used to initiate resuscitation because it is associated with excess mortality. C. In preterm newborns (<35 weeks of gestation) receiving respiratory support at birth, it may be reasonable to begin with 21% to 30% oxygen.
ObjectiveTo explore impact factors related to the clinical applicability of guidelines, and provide suggestions for better development and implementation of guidelines. MethodsThe CNKI database was electronically searched to collect clinical guidelines issued by the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association from 2015 to 2020. Sixty-one guidelines were randomly selected from included guidelines and each guideline was evaluated by medical staff from three regions using the instrument for evaluating clinical applicability of guidelines (version 2.0). Statistical data were described, and t-test or rank sum test or chi-square test were used for comparison between groups. The impact factors were screened by stepwise logistic regression analysis. ResultsA total of 6 904 valid questionnaires were collected from 119 medical institutions in 26 provinces of China. The more familiar with the guidelines and the more consistent with the wishes of patients or their families, the overall standardized score of the clinical applicability of guidelines would be higher. In addition, the more familiar with the guidelines, the standardized scores in each field would be higher. The higher emphasis on guidelines compliance, the higher the feasibility standardized score. ConclusionIn order to improve the clinical applicability of guidelines, developers should pay attention to whether the recommendations are consistent with the wishes of patients or their families. Then, medical institutions should pay attention to the compliance of guidelines. Finally, medical personnel should be familiar with the recommendations.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the implementability of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) guidelines in the field of paediatrics. MethodsWe searched the paediatrics-related TCM guidelines published in CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, SinoMed and PubMed databases, and related websites from inception to November 1, 2023. The implementability of the included guidelines was evaluated using the clinical practice guideline implementability assessment tool. ResultsA total of 47 guidelines were included, covering 37 paediatric diseases and recommending 27 TCM therapies, including TCM decoction, Chinese patent medicines, acupuncture, paediatric massage, and acupoints. The results of the guideline implementability evaluation showed that 5 guidelines (10.6%) were of high grade, 12 guidelines (25.5%) were of medium grade, and 30 guidelines (63.8%) were of low grade. With the exception of accessibility (multi-channel access methods) and communicability, which was of high quality, there is room for improvement in all areas, particularly in the areas of applicability and ease of recognition. ConclusionThe overall quality of implementability of the included paediatric TCM guidelines was low, and it is recommended that in the process of developing paediatric TCM guidelines in the future, we focus on improving the quality of implementability of the guidelines themselves from the source, so as to promote the implementation and application of the guidelines.