Epidemiology and Health

Systematic Reviews

The status quo of systematic reviews published in high-impact journals in Korea: a study focused on protocol registration and GRADE use: Mi Ah Han, Seong Jung Kim, Eu Chang Hwang, Jae Hung Jung; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022108. Published online November 15, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022108

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the status quo of systematic reviews published in major journals in Korea from the perspective of protocol registration and adopting the grading of recommendation, assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) system.
METHODS
We examined systematic reviews published in Korea’s top 15 medical journals from 2018 to 2021. Teams of 2 reviewers assessed the studies’ eligibility criteria and extracted data independently and in duplicate. We collected information on study characteristics, protocol registration, and GRADE use of the included reviews, and reviewed the “Instructions for Authors” of the selected journals to assess any guidance related to systematic reviews.
RESULTS
Out of the 126 identified reviews, 18 (14.3%) reported that they registered or published their protocol. Only 5 (4.0%) rated the certainty of evidence; and all 5 used the GRADE system. Only 6 of 15 journals mentioned systematic reviews in their “Instructions for Authors.” Six journals endorsed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework for systematic review reporting (2 mandatory, 3 recommended, and 1 unclear). None of the journals included mentioned protocol registration or certainty of evidence in their authors’ guidelines.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the proportion of systematic reviews that had prior protocol registration or used the GRADE approach to rate the certainty of evidence was very low. Our study highlights the need for adherence to systematic review standards in medical journals in Korea, including prior protocol registration and certainty of evidence assessment. Our review will help improve the quality of systematic reviews in Korea.; Summary

Korean summary
한국 의학 저널에서 계획서를 사전에 등록하거나 근거의 확실성을 평가하기 위해 GRADE 접근 방식을 사용한 체계적 문헌고찰의 분율은 낮았다. 우리의 연구는 계획서 등록 및 근거의 확실성 평가를 포함하여 체계적 문헌고찰의 방법론적 표준 준수의 필요성을 강조한다.

Key Message
The proportion of systematic reviews that had prior protocol registration or used the GRADE approach to rate the certainty of evidence was very low in Korean medical journals, and our study highlights the need for adherence to systematic review standards in medical journals in Korea, including prior protocol registration and certainty of evidence assessment.

Quality of biosafety guidelines for dental clinical practice throughout the world in the early COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review: Renata Cristina Soares, Juliana Schaia Rocha, Saulo Vinicius da Rosa, Jéssica Rodrigues da Silva Noll Gonçalves, Priscilla Lesly Perlas Condori, Ana Elisa Ribeiro, Samuel Jorge Moysés, Márcia Helena Baldani; Epidemiol Health. 2021;43:e2021089. Published online October 22, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2021089

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related biosafety guidelines for dental clinical practice in the early stage of the pandemic, focusing on quality assessment.

METHODS

Electronic (via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database, Brazilian Library in Dentistry, and Cochrane Library) and gray literature searches were performed for documents published up to May 12, 2020. Guidelines updated until April 17, 2021 were identified. Documents were included as guidelines if they (1) consisted of a set of statements, directions, or principles presenting current or future rules or policy; (2) were developed by government agencies, institutions, organizations, or expert panels; and (3) were related to the general conduct of healthcare activities rather a particular condition. Two researchers, using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II, independently extracted the recommendations and evaluated the quality of the guidelines.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven documents from 19 countries were included in the review. These documents presented 122 recommendations related to (1) professional biosafety; (2) patients’/companions’ safety; (3) the organization and biosafety of the physical dental facility environment; and (4) the work process in dental care. Overall, the scientific quality of the guidelines was considered low. Some recommendations presented in these guidelines would require further research to establish their effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a wide variety of biosafety guidelines for dental practice regarding COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic, but their quality was low. Biosafety recommendations should be frequently updated.

Summary

Key Message
Despite the wide variety of biosafety guidelines for dental practice regarding COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic, their quality was low. These findings demonstrate the need for more guidelines for dental practice with more high-quality evidence, focusing on clarification of the strictness of development, financing, conflicts of interest, and applicability. Guidelines with high scientific quality are essential for the formation of a robust scientific consensus facilitating the ability to offer safer and more reliable procedures in the pandemic context.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Practices in El Salvador and Mexico: A Comprehensive Survey Analysis
Nuria Patiño-Marín, Wendy Yesenia Escobar de González, Katleen Argentina Aguirre de Rodríguez, Miguel Angel Casillas Santana, Carlo Eduardo Medina-Solís, Guillermo Alfonso Aguirre Escobar, Gabriel Alejandro Martínez-Castañón, Marco Salas
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

Perspective

An opposing view on including high school students in a latent tuberculosis infection control program in Korea: Jong-Myon Bae; Epidemiol Health. 2017;39:e2017015. Published online March 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2017015

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4 Web of Science
5 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

The Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (KCDC) has announced a control program against latent <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> infection (LTBI), for a “TB-safe country” this year with the goal of a “TB-free Korea” by 2025. The program includes high school students as one target group; however, some school health teachers and parents have expressed their opposition to this. The 2015 World Health Organization guidelines do not recommend inclusion of asymptomatic high school students in LTBI control programs. Based on this guideline, the KCDC should consider excluding this population from the program.

Summary

Korean summary
질병관리본부는 결핵안심국가를 만들기 위하여 고등학교 1학년생을 포함한 잠복결핵감염 검사사업을 2017년 추진하기로 공고하였다. 그러나 2015년에 발표된 WHO 지침에 따르면 해당 대상자들은 검사대상자로 제시되어 있지않다. 근거중심의 보건정책 추진을 위해서 사업 대상 선정을 재검토할 필요가 있다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

The cascade of care for latent tuberculosis infection in congregate settings: A national cohort analysis, Korea, 2017–2018
Jinsoo Min, Hyung Woo Kim, Helen R. Stagg, Molebogeng X. Rangaka, Marc Lipman, Ibrahim Abubakar, Yunhee Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong, Hyunsuk Jeong, Sanghyuk Bae, Ah Young Shin, Ji Young Kang, Sung-Soon Lee, Jae Seuk Park, Hyeon Woo Yim, Ju Sang Kim
Frontiers in Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Latent tuberculosis infection: recent progress and challenges in South Korea
Doosoo Jeon
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine.2020; 35(2): 269. CrossRef
Vitamin D supplementation as a control program against latent tuberculosis infection in Korean high school students
Eun Hee Kim, Jong-Myon Bae
Epidemiology and Health.2018; 40: e2018035. CrossRef
Suggestions for the promotion of evidence-based public health in South Korea
Jong-Myon Bae
Epidemiology and Health.2017; 39: e2017030. CrossRef
결핵정책에 대하여
찬병 박
Public Health Affairs.2017; 1(1): 13. CrossRef

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