Updated recommendations of the German Society for Rheumatology for the care of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in times of SARS-CoV-2 – methodology, key messages and justifying information

Summary A few days after the SARS-CoV-2 infection was declared a pandemic, the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) has compiled a first group of recommendations for the care of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in light of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. These first recommendations were based on an expert consensus and were largely "non-evidence-based". Now that the first scientific data from registries, cross-sectional studies, case reports and case series are available, the DGRh developed a timely update. This update is based on a literature search of publications available up to June 15th, 2020 and addresses preventive measures (such as hygiene measures or vaccinations) and the use of immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive drugs. Driven by the commitment to let patients benefit from the new, first evidence-based recommendations as quickly as possible, the DGRh published the update in German on its homepage and in the Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie immediately after completion. Here, we report the key recommendations to make this recommendation available also for the international community, provide the scientific methodology used to develop the recommendations, give additional thoughts and advices for the management of patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss our recommendations in the context of other international recommendations.

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Laminopathies’ Treatments Systematic Review: A Contribution Towards a ‘Treatabolome’

Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases ◽

10.3233/jnd-200596 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Antonio Atalaia ◽

Rabah Ben Yaou ◽

Karim Wahbi ◽

Annachiara De Sandre-Giovannoli ◽

Corinne Vigouroux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rare Diseases ◽

Case Reports ◽

Phenotypic Expression ◽

Genetic Diagnosis ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Case Series ◽

Treatment Recommendations ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Central Registry

Background: Variants in the LMNA gene, encoding lamins A/C, are responsible for a growing number of diseases, all of which complying with the definition of rare diseases. LMNA-related disorders have a varied phenotypic expression with more than 15 syndromes described, belonging to five phenotypic groups: Muscular Dystrophies, Neuropathies, Cardiomyopathies, Lipodystrophies and Progeroid Syndromes. Overlapping phenotypes are also reported. Linking gene and variants with phenotypic expression, disease mechanisms, and corresponding treatments is particularly challenging in laminopathies. Treatment recommendations are limited, and very few are variant-based. Objective: The Treatabolome initiative aims to provide a shareable dataset of existing variant-specific treatment for rare diseases within the Solve-RD EU project. As part of this project, we gathered evidence of specific treatments for laminopathies via a systematic literature review adopting the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) guidelines for scientific data production. Methods: Treatments for LMNA-related conditions were systematically collected from MEDLINE and Embase bibliographic databases and clinical trial registries (Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, clinicaltrial.gov and EudraCT). Two investigators extracted and analyzed the literature data independently. The included papers were assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence. Results: From the 4783 selected articles by a systematic approach, we identified 78 papers for our final analysis that corresponded to the profile of data defined in the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These papers include 2 guidelines/consensus papers, 4 meta-analyses, 14 single-arm trials, 15 case series, 13 cohort studies, 21 case reports, 8 expert reviews and 1 expert opinion. The treatments were summarized electronically according to significant phenome-genome associations. The specificity of treatments according to the different laminopathic phenotypical presentations is variable. Conclusions: We have extracted Treatabolome-worthy treatment recommendations for patients with different forms of laminopathies based on significant phenome-genome parings. This dataset will be available on the Treatabolome website and, through interoperability, on genetic diagnosis and treatment support tools like the RD-Connect’s Genome Phenome Analysis Platform.

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Cardio-Pulmonary Sequelae in Recovered COVID-19 Patients: Considerations for Primary Care

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211023726 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110237

Author(s):

Zouina Sarfraz ◽

Azza Sarfraz ◽

Alanna Barrios ◽

Radhika Garimella ◽

Asimina Dominari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Primary Infection ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Infectious Complications ◽

Care Physician ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Period

Background: Current literature lacks characterization of the post-recovery sequelae among COVID-19 patients. This review characterizes the course of clinical, laboratory, radiological findings during the primary infection period, and the complications post-recovery. Primary care findings are presented for long-COVID care. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, 4 databases were searched (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Scopus) through December 5, 2020, using the keywords “COVID-19 and/or recovered and/or cardiovascular and/or long-term and/or sequelae and/or sub-acute and/or complication.” We included published peer-reviewed case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies providing the clinical course of COVID-19 infection, and cardiopulmonary complications of patients who recovered from COVID-19, while making healthcare considerations for primary care workers. Results: We identified 29 studies across 9 countries including 37.9% Chinese and 24.1% U.S. studies, comprising 655 patients (Mean Age = 45) with various ethnical backgrounds including Asian and European. Based on the WHO COVID-19 severity classification scale, initial disease severity was mild for 377 patients and severe for 52 patients. Treatments during primary infection included corticosteroids, oxygen support, and antivirals. The mean value (in days) for complication onset after acute recovery was 28 days. Complete blood counts and RT-PCR tests were the most common laboratory results described. In 22 of the studies, patients showed signs of clinical improvement and were prescribed medications such as anticoagulants or corticosteroids. Conclusion: Post-recovery infectious complications are common in long-COVID-19 patients ranging from mild infections to life-threatening conditions. International thoracic and cardiovascular societies need to develop guidelines for patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia, while focused patient care by the primary care physician is crucial to curb preventable adverse events. Recommendations for real-time and lab-quality diagnostic tests are warranted to establish point-of-care testing, detect early complications, and provide timely treatment.

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SAT0450 GLUCOCORTICOID-INDUCED OSTEOPOROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES: A MULTIVARIATE LINEAR REGRESSION ANALYSIS IDENTIFYING PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR LOW BONE MASS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1182.2-1182

Author(s):

E. Wiebe ◽

D. Freier ◽

D. Huscher ◽

R. Biesen ◽

S. Hermann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Mass ◽

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Positive Association ◽

Fragility Fractures ◽

Life Time ◽

Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Low Bone Mass ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Prevalence Of Osteoporosis

Background:Rheumatic diseases are associated with increased systemic bone loss and fracture risk related to chronic inflammation, disease-specific, general and demographic risk factors as well as treatment with glucocorticoids (GC). Yet, there is evidence that GCs may, by adequately suppressing systemic inflammation, also have a positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk1.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and to analyze the impact that treatment with GCs, other known risk factors and preventive measures have on bone health in these patients.Methods:Rh-GIOP is an ongoing prospective observational study collecting and analyzing disease- and bone-related data from patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and psoriasis treated with GCs. In this cross-sectional analysis, we evaluated the initial visit of 1091 patients. A multivariate linear regression model with known or potentially influential factors adjusted for age and sex was used to identify predictors of BMD as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multiple imputation was applied for missing baseline covariate data.Results:In the total cohort of 1091 patients (75% female of which 87.5% were postmenopausal) with a mean age of 62.1 (±13.2) years, the prevalence of osteoporosis by DXA was 21.7%, while fragility fractures have occurred in 31.2% of the study population (6.7% vertebral, 27.7% non-vertebral). Current GC therapy was common (64.9%), with a median daily dose of 5.0mg [0.0;7.5], a mean life-time total GC dose of 17.7g (±24.6), and a mean GC therapy duration of 7.8 years (±8.5). Bisphosphonates were the most commonly used anti-osteoporotic drug (12.6%).Multivariate analysis showed that BMD as expressed by the minimum T-Score at all measured sites was negatively associated with higher age, female sex and menopause as well as Denosumab and Bisphosphonate treatment. A positive association with BMD was found for body mass index as well as current and life-time (cumulative) GC dose. While comedication with proton-pump-inhibitors significantly predicted low bone mass, concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs showed a positive association with BMD. Of the measured bone-specific laboratory parameters, higher alkaline phosphatase levels were determinants of low DXA-values, while the association was positive for gamma-glutamyltransferase.BMD was neither predicted by duration of GC treatment nor by treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.Predictive variables for BMD differed at the respective anatomical site. While treatment with Denosumab predicted low bone mass at the lumbar spine and not at the femoral neck, the opposite was true for health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score. Current and life-time GC-dose as well as direct sun-exposure of more than 30 minutes daily were positively associated with bone mass at the femoral sites only.Conclusion:This cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study quantified the prevalence of osteoporosis and identified predictive variables of BMD in patients with rheumatic diseases.Multivariate analyses corroborated low BMD to be predicted by traditional factors like age, female sex and menopause but showed current and well as life-time GC dose to be positively associated with BMD in our cohort of patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. This suggests that optimal management of disease activity with GCs might be beneficial in order to avoid bone loss due to inflammation.References:[1]Güler-Yüksel et al. “Glucocorticoids, Inflammation and Bone.” Calcified Tissue International (January 08 2018).Disclosure of Interests:Edgar Wiebe: None declared, Desiree Freier: None declared, Dörte Huscher: None declared, Robert Biesen: None declared, Sandra Hermann: None declared, Frank Buttgereit Grant/research support from: Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Generic Assays, GSK, Hexal, Horizon, Lilly, medac, Mundipharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and Sanofi.

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Satisfaction and Adherence to Biological Treatment in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397118666211230101451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Marwa Hammad ◽

Huny Bakry

Keyword(s):

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Biological Treatment ◽

Formal Education ◽

Biological Therapy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

New Era ◽

The Mean

Background: Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases have long been treated by conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Biological therapy is a new era in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but satisfaction and adherence to it is still not well tested. Aim: To assess the satisfaction and adherence to biological treatment among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 56 patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic diseases using Morisky 8 questionnaire and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) over a period of one month Results: About 76.8% of the patients had medium adherence and the underlying cause of missing doses was the unavailability of the drugs. The mean satisfaction with biological treatment was 62.7±6.9. Patients who did not receive formal education had significantly higher satisfaction with the biological treatment than others 64.94±5.01 at a P value 0.04 (<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in our study showed medium adherence and satisfaction. Authorities in the medical field are providing great help to these patients in need of biological therapy, but ensuring the availability of all doses of the biological treatment regimen is still necessary. Patient, family and nurse education programs are also necessary to maximize adherence and satisfaction.

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Probable Neuropsychological & Cognitive Complications due to Cytokine Storm in Patients With COVID-19

Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal ◽

10.32598/bcn.2022.3202.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 1-37

Author(s):

Zahra Keshtgar ◽

◽

GH. Reza Chalabianloo ◽

Niloofar Esmaeili ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Cytokine Storm ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tnf Α

Introduction: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was identified in China in December 2019 for the first time and is rapidly spreading throughout the world as a pandemic. As COVID-19 causes mild to severe acute respiratory syndrome, most studies in this context have focused on pathogenesis primarily in the respiratory system. However, evidence shows that the central nervous system (CNS) may also be affected by COVID-19. Since COVID-19 is spreading, it is imperative to study its possible cognitive effects in patients suffering and recovering from COVID-19. Methods: The articles used in this study were searched by keywords such as Cytokine storm and covid-19, covid-19 and executive dysfunction, cognitive disorder and covid-19, CNS and covid 19, Coronavirus, Neuroinvasion in science direct, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. The study will assess all observational studies published between December 2019 and April 2021 in peer-reviewed journals, including cross-sectional, cohort, case-control studies, case reports and case series. The search result was 106 articles, of which 73 articles related to Covid-19, the stages of infection by this virus, its effect on the nervous system and neurological symptoms, the cytokine storm caused by this infection, and the possible cognitive consequences caused by this virus in patients, has been reviewed. Other articles were not checked due to their limited relevance to the topic under discussion. Results: Studies show that neurons may be directly affected by SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, various studies indicate that systemic inflammation (so-called "cytokine storm") is also responsible for brain damage induced by infection with SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Such a way that this patients showed elevated levels of interleukin (IL-), 6, 8, and 10 and of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) in their blood. Conclusion: Various cognitive defects following an increase level of cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6,8 have been observed. Therefore, due to the increase level of these pro-inflammatory factors in the brains of these patients, cognitive deficits can be expected, which need further investigation.

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Manual Interventions for Musculoskeletal Factors in Infants With Suboptimal Breastfeeding: A Scoping Review

Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine ◽

10.1177/2515690x18816971 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

pp. 2515690X1881697

Author(s):

Cheryl Hawk ◽

Amy Minkalis ◽

Carol Webb ◽

Olivia Hogan ◽

Sharon Vallone

Keyword(s):

Manual Therapy ◽

Case Reports ◽

Research Question ◽

Case Series ◽

First Year ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maternal Report ◽

Suboptimal Breastfeeding ◽

First Year Of Life

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and continuing for at least the first year of life, is strongly recommended. Suboptimal breastfeeding, which is breastfeeding that does not meet these recommendations, is a multifactorial issue. Some authorities, particularly in the nursing and lactation counseling professions, have identified musculoskeletal issues that may interfere with successful breastfeeding. The purpose of this project was to survey the literature on manual treatments to correct musculoskeletal dysfunctions in infants with suboptimal breastfeeding. Our research question was, “Have manual interventions been used to correct infants’ musculoskeletal dysfunctions thought to be linked to suboptimal breastfeeding?” We searched PubMed and Index to Chiropractic Literature, from inception through July 2018, as well as relevant gray literature. We assessed quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies using modified SIGN checklists, and the overall strength of evidence using GRADE. The search yielded 461 articles, with a final inclusion of 27 articles: 7 expert commentaries, 1 high-quality RCT, 1 low-quality cohort, 1 pilot study, 2 cross-sectional surveys, 5 narrative reviews, and 10 case series or case reports. Combining the 10 case series and reports in our search with 18 discussed in narrative reviews included in our review yielded 201 infants who received manual therapy for nursing dysfunction. No serious adverse events were reported and improvement in nursing ability was observed using various outcome measures, usually maternal report. Based on the GRADE criteria, there is moderate positive evidence for the effect of manual therapy on suboptimal breastfeeding.

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Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Rural, Urban, and Tribal Children (1–10 Years of Age)

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_329_16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 08 (03) ◽

pp. 368-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sunil Kumar Raina ◽

Vishav Chander ◽

Ashok K. Bhardwaj ◽

Dinesh Kumar ◽

Seema Sharma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Second Phase ◽

Age Group ◽

Socioeconomic Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Evaluation Phase ◽

Tribal Populations

ABSTRACT Introduction: Studies on autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have largely focused on children in specific settings. The current scenario of research in ASDs is limited largely to clinic-based case reports, case series, and retrospective chart reviews. The present study is the first population-based prevalence study conducted across rural, urban, and tribal populations in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional two-phase study was conducted cring children in the age group of 1–10 years of age across geographical regions representing rural, urban, and tribal populations. The first phase (screening phase) involved administration of the Hindi version of the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism. Those identified as suspected of ASD and 10% of all classified as nonsuspects for autism were also evaluated by the clinical team in second phase (evaluation phase). Results: Forty-three children out of a total of 28,070 children in rural, urban, and tribal area in the age group of 1–10 years were diagnosed as cases of ASD yielding a prevalence of 0.15% (95% confidence interval [CI] =0.15–0.25). Logistic regression analysis showed a two times significantly higher risk of diagnosing ASD in rural area as compared to tribal (odds ratio [OR]; 95% CI = 2.17 [1.04–4.52], P = 0.04). Male sex and upper socioeconomic group of head of family/father had a higher risk of getting diagnosed as autism as compared to lower socioeconomic group (OR; 95% CI - 3.23; 0.24–44.28, P = 0.38). Conclusions: Estimation of true prevalence of ASD in India is going to improve policies on developmental disabilities.

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Efficacy of nicotine administration on obsessions and compulsions in OCD: a systematic review

Annals of General Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12991-020-00309-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daria Piacentino ◽

Annalisa Maraone ◽

Valentina Roselli ◽

Isabella Berardelli ◽

Massimo Biondi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Case Reports ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Case Series ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Open Label ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Nicotine Administration

Abstract Background Preliminary studies have tested nicotine as a novel treatment for OCD patients who respond partially/incompletely or not at all to first and second-line treatment strategies, with the former represented by SSRIs or clomipramine, and the latter by switching to another SSRI, or augmentation with atypical antipsychotics, and/or combination with/switching to cognitive–behavioural therapy. Some studies found nicotine-induced reduction of obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviour in OCD patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nicotine administration in OCD patients. Methods We searched the PubMed, ScienceDirect Scopus, CINHAL, Cochrane, PsycINFO/PsycARTICLES, and EMBASE databases from inception to the present for relevant papers. The ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses’ (PRISMA) standards were used. We included all studies focusing on the effects of nicotine administration on OCD patients’ obsessions or compulsions. Studies could be open-label, cross-sectional, randomized controlled trials, case series or case reports. Results A total of five studies could be included. Nicotine administration may ameliorate behavioural features and recurrent thoughts of severe, treatment-resistant OCD patients; however, in one study it was not associated with OC symptom improvement or cognitive enhancement across various executive function subdomains. Conclusions Although encouraging, the initial positive response from the use of nicotine in OCD needs testing in large controlled studies. This, however, raises ethical issues related to nicotine administration, due to its addiction potential, which were not addressed in the limited literature we examined. As an alternative, novel treatments with drugs able to mimic only the positive effects of nicotine could be implemented.

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Is Non-Chlamydial Non-Gonococcal Urethritis Associated with Significant Clinical Complications in Men? A Systematic Review

Current Urology ◽

10.1159/000499266 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cassandra E.L. Fairhead ◽

Alexander Hampson ◽

Louis Dwyer-Hemmings ◽

Nikhil Vasdev

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Reactive Arthritis ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Future Research ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gonococcal Urethritis ◽

Clinical Complications

Background: It is estimated that between 50 and 89% of non-gonococcal urethritis is not caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Associations between non-chlamydial non-gonococcal urethritis (NCNGU) with balanoposthitis, epididymo-orchitis and reactive arthritis have been suggested, but evidence to support these often-theoretical relationships is sparse and further investigation is called for. Concerns over increasing antimicrobial resistance has rendered the need for clarity over this question ever more pressing in recent years. A review of the current evidence on the complications of NCNGU in men is therefore urgently warranted. Objective: This systematic review summarizes and evaluates the available evidence that NCNGU, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, causes the significant complications that are already well-recognized to be associated with non-gonococcal urethritis. These significant complications are epididymo-orchitis, balanoposthitis, and sexually-acquired reactive arthritis (Reiter's syndrome) including arthritis or conjunctivitis. Summary: We conducted a systematic review and qualitative synthesis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis framework. Five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and British Nursing Index) were searched. We included studies that measured clinical outcome after diagnosis of NCNGU in men. Bias was assessed using variations of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were extracted and entered into a pre-written data abstraction proforma. Seven peer-review studies were included. This included 2 retrospective cohort studies, 1 case series, 2 case reports and 2 cross-sectional studies. The studies described and analyzed 3 types of complication: balanitis, posthitis and/or meatitis; reactive arthritis and/or conjunctivitis; and epididymitis. All studies reported one or more complications. Key Messages: This review identifies an important avenue for future research: while the available evidence suggests that NCNGU has the potential to cause significant complications in men, with the strongest evidence existing for balanitis, posthitis and/or meatitis, the nature and significance of these relationships is far from clear. The findings of this review suggest that prospective, adequately powered research into whether there is a causal link between NCNGU and significant clinical complications in men would be highly worthwhile. The findings of this review raise important questions about the utility of the term NCNGU in research and clinical practice.

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Methodological quality and synthesis of case series and case reports

BMJ evidence-based medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjebm-2017-110853 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 60-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 312

Author(s):

Mohammad Hassan Murad ◽

Shahnaz Sultan ◽

Samir Haffar ◽

Fateh Bazerbachi

Keyword(s):

Methodological Quality ◽

Medical Literature ◽

Case Reports ◽

Case Series ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Designs ◽

Inform Decision Making

Case reports and case series are uncontrolled study designs known for increased risk of bias but have profoundly influenced the medical literature and continue to advance our knowledge. In this guide, we present a framework for appraisal, synthesis and application of evidence derived from case reports and case series. We propose a tool to evaluate the methodological quality of case reports and case series based on the domains of selection, ascertainment, causality and reporting and provide signalling questions to aid evidence-based practitioners and systematic reviewers in their assessment. We suggest using evidence derived from case reports and case series to inform decision-making when no other higher level of evidence is available.

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