FINDING EVIDENCE FOR REVIEWS OF ADVERSE EFFECTS

Evaluating and optimising the retrieval of research evidence for systematic reviews of adverse effects

Background

Well-conducted systematic reviews contain a comprehensive summary of the available evidence on a given topic and are valuable sources of information for decision-makers. However, most systematic reviews focus on establishing the benefits rather than the side effects of treatments.

Whilst methods for identifying evidence relating to the benefits of treatments are well established, little is known about how best to find the evidence on the side effects of a treatment. By using a series of systematic reviews as case studies this research aims to: investigate which types of research are most helpful for identifying information on side effects; where are the best places to look for information on side effects; and what are the best ways to search for side effects in the databases available.

By providing guidance on the types of research to look for, where and how to look, this study aims to help researchers optimise the retrieval of research evidence on both the benefits and harms of treatments.

Conducted by: Su Golder¹

1. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination

Publications

Glanville J, Bayliss S, Booth A, Dundar Y, Fernandes H, Fleeman ND, Foster L, Fraser C, Fry-Smith A, Golder S, Lefebvre C, Miller C, Paisley S, Payne L, Price A, Welch K. So many filters, so little time: the development of a search filter appraisal checklist. J Medical Libr Assoc. 2008; 96(4): 356-61

Golder S, Loke Y. Is there evidence for biased reporting of published adverse effects data in pharmaceutical industry-funded studies? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008: 66(6): 767-73

Golder S, Loke YK. Search strategies to identify information on adverse effects: a systematic review. J Med Libr Assoc. 2009; 97(2): 84-92

Golder S, Loke YK, Bland M. Meta-analyses of adverse effects data derived from randomised controlled trials as compared to observational studies: methodological overview. PLoS Med. 2011;8(5)

Golder S, Loke Y, McIntosh HM. Poor reporting and inadequate searches were apparent in systematic reviews of adverse effects. J Clin Epidemiol. 2008; 61(5): 440-8

Presentations

Golder S, Loke Y, Bland M. Comparison of adverse effects data derived from different study designs.

Golder S, Loke Y. The sensitivity and precision of adverse effects search filters in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Science Citation Index (SCI).

Golder S. Loke Y. The usefulness of different information sources for retrieving adverse effects data for a systematic review.

Funding

Commissioned by the MRC Training Fellowship

Status: In progress