Rapid Critical Appraisal of a Systematic Review

Does the systematic review address a focused question (PICO)?

Indicator
The main question being addressed should be clearly stated
Results of
critical
appraisal
and use it to direct the search and select articles for inclusion?
Indicator
The inclusion or exclusion of studies in a systematic review should be
clearly defined a priori. The eligibility criteria used should specify the
patients, interventions or exposures and outcomes of interest
Results of
critical
appraisal
Did the search find all the relevant evidence?
Indicator
Literature search use major bibliographic databases (eg, MEDLINE,
Cochrane, EMBASE) and also include a search of reference lists from
relevant studies, use of Science Citation Index, and contact with experts,
particularly to inquire about unpublished studies.
Results of
critical
appraisal
Have the studies been critically appraised?
Indicator
The article should describe how the quality of each study was assessed using
predetermined quality criteria appropriate to the type of clinical question
(eg, randomisation, blinding and completeness of follow-up for intervention
questions).
Results of
critical
appraisal
and was the overall quality adequate?
Indicator
The studies should be assessed independently by at least 2 reviewers. Th e
overall quality should be such that the results are unlikely to be attributable
to biases such as poor randomisation or unblinded subjects.
Results of
critical
appraisal
Have the results been synthesised with appropriate summary tables and plots?
Indicator
The results of included studies should at least be presented in a summary
table. If the results are similar, there may be a meta-analysis with the results
presented as a forest plot. Ideally, this should also include a heterogeneity
analysis.
Results of
critical
appraisal
and were the results similar between studies?
Indicator
Ideally, the results of the different studies should besimilar or homogeneous.
If heterogeneity exists the authors may estimate whether the differences

aresignificant (Cochrane Q test). Possible reasons for the heterogeneity

should be explored.
Results of
critical
appraisal