Comparison among multiple interventions has been realized due to the development of network meta-analysis and so far many studies have reported its implementation process. However, its results are rarely interpreted in domestic studies at present. This article interprets the results of trace plots, density plots, Brooks-Gelman-Rubin diagnosis plots, rankogram, surface under the cumulative ranking, and network plots, to provide references and assistance for further research regarding network meta-analysis.
ObjectiveTo interpret ROBIS, a new tool to evaluate the risk of bias in systematic reviews, to promote the comprehension of it and its proper application. MethodsWe explained each item of ROBIS tool, used it to evaluate the risk of bias of a selected intervention review whose title was Cyclophosphamide for Primary Nephrotic Syndrome of Children: A Systematic Review, and judged the risk of bias in the review. ResultsThe selected systematic review as a whole was rated as “high risk of bias”, because there existed high risk of bias in domain 2 to 4, namely identification and selection of studies, data collection and study appraisal, synthesis and findings. The risk of bias in domain 1 (study eligibility criteria) was low. The relevance of identified studies and the review’s research question was appropriately considered and the reviewers avoided emphasizing results on the basis of their statistical significance. ConclusionROBIS is a new tool worthy of being recommended to evaluate risk of bias in systematic reviews. Reviewers should use ROBIS items as standards to conduct and produce high quality systematic reviews.
Dose-response meta-analysis (DRMA) is one of the branches of meta-analysis, which has provided important evidence for clinical research. Since introducing into China, it has gained great attention. In order to improve the reporting quality of DRMA, Dr. Chang Xu et al. developed the reporting guideline for DAMA——G-Dose Checklist. It was published in Chinese Jouranl of Evidence-based Medicine in 2016. This paper interprets the checklists so as to promote the understanding and use of it.
The standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy for studies in journal or conference abstracts (STARD for Abstracts) was developed for guiding the reporting of abstracts of diagnostic accuracy studies, which was published in BMJ in August 2017. The study mainly introduced and interpreted the items of STARD for Abstracts, in order to help domestic researchers to perform and report the abstracts of diagnostic accuracy studies by STARD for Abstracts.
This paper interprets 2017 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) peripheral arterial disease diagnosis and treatment guidelines on lower extremity arterial disease, and in order to provide reference for clinical practice.
To standardize and improve the quality of reporting of patient and public involvement in health and social care research, BMJ recently published the 2nd edition of Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP 2). This paper introduces the background and process of GRIPP 2 development, and explains the core content of GRIPP 2. It is expected that GRIPP 2 will provide reference for domestic researchers carrying out patients and public involvement (PPI) research and writing PPI research report.
The AMSTAR 2, a critical appraisal tool, was developed for assessing systematic reviews which included randomized or non-randomized studies of healthcare interventions, or both. It was recently published in BMJ. This paper introduces AMSTAR 2 and interprets its usage by a published systematic review.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) developed rapidly since firstly introduced to clinical practice in 2002. In 2015, Experts Consensus for Transeatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (abbreviated as the Consensus) helped TAVR develop normatively and safely in China. This article interpreted the Consensus in combination of new evolutions of TAVR field: first, the indications of TAVR expand from inoperative and high risk patients to the intermediate risk patients; second, although the Consensus recommended pre-dilation with balloon of modest size, the necessity of pre-dilation is under debate; third, the Consensus pointed out main complications of TAVR, and the main strategies to avoid complications are careful pre-procedural analysis and development of new device; fourth, our experts had made outstanding contribution to TAVR in the treatment of patients with bicuspid aortic valve, which still has many problems to be solved urgently.