Summaries of findings, descriptions of interventions, and information about adverse effects would make reviews more informative

Abstract 

Background and Objective

To describe challenges when extracting and presenting relevant, consistent, and accessible information from systematic reviews.

Materials and Methods

We systematically selected comparisons and outcomes from 18 Cochrane reviews, evaluated the quality of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE system, and developed standardized patient information. We evaluated the information using patient, review author, researcher, and clinician feedback.

Results

Challenges included large numbers of comparisons and outcomes; missing information about treatments and adverse effects; and variations in how effect was measured and presented. By selecting comparisons and outcomes based on patient-relevance, quality, and nonredundancy, we halved the number of outcomes. We prepared information about treatments and adverse effects using other sources. We framed outcomes consistently and standardized the presentation of magnitude of effect.

Conclusions

The incorporation of summary of findings tables in reviews could address these challenges. Problems could also be reduced if review groups agreed upon standard outcomes; excluded less relevant outcomes; incorporated more information about interventions and adverse effects; and implemented clearer guidelines for the presentation of results.

Keywords: Knowledge translation, Patient-centred research, Patient information, Research quality, Risk communication, Systematic reviews