Development of Critical Appraisal Tool for Cross- Sectional Studies (CAT-CSS)

BMJ Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. e011458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J Downes ◽  
Marnie L Brennan ◽  
Hywel C Williams ◽  
Rachel S Dean

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Irwin ◽  
Deborah Davis ◽  
Marian Currie

Probiotic supplements have been suggested as therapy for a range of health problems in children. This article aims to map the literature around probiotic use in well children, with a focus on prevalence. Using a scoping review methodology, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, HealthSource and SAGE, as well as Google and MedNar for grey literature, in July 2018. We followed the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and used the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool to assess articles for quality. Seven studies including a total of 24,742 children were identified. The prevalence of probiotic use ranged from 4% to 51%. The most common predictors of use were parental probiotic use, and higher maternal education and income. Only one small study reported the strains of probiotics used. Neither the reasons for using probiotics, nor parental perceptions of efficacy were adequately explored. Most parents obtained their information about probiotics from the Internet or family members. Despite the number of children in the community reported to have used probiotics, there are few well-designed and/or well-reported studies of prevalence, and inadequate data concerning the strains of probiotics used, reasons for their use and their perceived efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Silva ◽  
L. Miguel Carreira ◽  
Telmo Nunes ◽  
François Saulnier-Troff

Objective: To critically appraise the literature exploring the surgical treatment of degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs. Background: Several surgical procedures to treat degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) in the dog have been reported, however, definitive criteria for surgical technique preference are currently lacking (1). Evidentiary value and methods: A critical appraisal tool that examined the conduct and reporting of studies on the results of surgical treatment of DLSS was designed and, after a systematic search and screening of the literature, a critical appraisal was performed in 20 papers. Results: Results showed that 18/20 studies included did not clearly report inclusion and exclusion criteria and in 14/20 it was unclear whether consecutive inclusion of participants was applied. 19/20 studies reported age, breed, and sex of the participants, and 13/20 did not report duration and prevalence of clinical signs. In 13/20 studies, it was considered that the condition was not measured in a standard and reliable way. Objective outcome measures were used in 7/20 studies. Conclusion and application: The results demonstrate that there is room for improvement in the conduct and reporting quality of case series so that rigorous data can be generated and analysed, to inform research design, guide clinical practice, and improve veterinary healthcare delivery.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Nyan M. Aung ◽  
Kyaw K. Myint

Introduction. Evidence of second canal in permanent mandibular incisors is frequently questioned in dentistry. The difference in evidence between the two teeth is an interesting argument across different countries and ethnicities. So the aim of the systematic review was to investigate the evidence of second canal between permanent mandibular central and lateral incisors in China. Materials and Methods. The papers were selected from the electronic databases and hand searching according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. All qualified studies were judged by the reviewers. The selected studies were checked with Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool for prevalence studies. Finally, three studies were selected for the review and meta-analyses. The proportion of the second canal with its confidence interval and forest plot for the meta-analyses were calculated. Results. The evidences of second canal in permanent mandibular central and lateral incisors in China were 5.6% and 14.1%. Only one study reported bilateral symmetry of the second canal as 58.7% and 76.1% in the two types of teeth. Out of all canal anatomies, Vertucci’s type ΙΙΙ was dominant comprising 4.1% and 11.2% together with other second-canal types comprising 1.4% and 3% in permanent mandibular central and lateral incisors. When the proportions were meta-analyzed, mandibular central incisors had been less numerous OR = 0.35 [0.31, 0.40], 0.33[0.28, 0.39], and 0.42 [0.22, 0.79] in the evidence of second canal, of Type ΙΙΙ, and of other types except Type ΙΙΙ than mandibular lateral incisors in China. Out of all second-canal anatomies, Type ΙΙΙ presented 72.5% and 78.9% along with other second-canal types comprising 24.3% and 21.1% in the two teeth in China. Discussion. There was the evidence of second canal which deviated toward the permanent mandibular lateral incisor also in case of bilateral symmetry, the prevalence of Vertucci’s Type ΙΙΙ, and other second-canal types out of all canal anatomies.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony V. D'Antoni ◽  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
Alexandria C. Patti ◽  
Quinn M. Higgins ◽  
Hallie Tiburzi ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jo Thompson Coon ◽  
Rebecca Abbott

This chapter provides an introduction to the principles of critical appraisal and explains why critical appraisal skills are important in practice and research. Guidance is provided on how to approach the critical appraisal of different types of study including cross-sectional studies, case–control studies, cohort studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and qualitative studies. A worked example is provided at the end of the chapter to illustrate the process. Developing skills in critical appraisal will help readers to assess the credibility, relevance, and value of the results of research and is an essential component of practising evidence-based medicine.


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