scholarly journals Topic duplication and research waste at the ‘Overviews of systematic reviews’ level: Survey of overlapping overviews

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Lunny ◽  
Jia He Zhang ◽  
Alyssa Chen ◽  
Trish Neelakant ◽  
Gavindeep Shinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Clinical Treatment ◽  
Clinical Question ◽  
Research Waste ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Muscle Health ◽  
Overviews Of Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Resources

Abstract Background Multiple overviews of systematic reviews conducted on the same topic (“overlapping overviews”) represent a waste of research resources and can confuse or mislead clinicians and policymakers. We aimed to assess the frequency and characteristics of published overviews addressing the same clinical question or topic. Methods We used MEDLINE, Epistemonikos and Cochrane databases to locate overviews that: focused on synthesising reviews; conducted systematic searches; had a methods section; and examined a health intervention or clinical treatment. We then determined which overviews addressed the same or overlapping populations/settings, interventions, and outcomes [PIO]). Overlap in topic was defined as: duplication of PIO elements, not representing an update of a previous overview, and not a replication for quality purposes. Results Of 541 overviews located (2000–2018), 178 (33%) overlapped with another overview addressing a similar PIO. The topics of overlapping overviews fell within 13 WHO ICD-10 medical classifications, and there were 65 overlapping topics in total. The most prevalent topic with overlap across 7 overviews was smoking cessation (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions). Five overlapping overviews related to acupuncture for pain, 5 addressed cannabinoids for pain and symptoms, and 5 addressed exercise for bone and muscle health. For 15/65 (22%) of these topics, one author was involved in at least two of the overlapping overviews. Conclusions We found significant duplication and unnecessary overlap across overviews. To avoid waste and redundancy, protocols of overviews should be registered in a targeted database, and overviews should cite other studies on similar topic with a rationale.

scholarly journals Topic overlap and research waste at the ‘Overviews of systematic reviews’ level: a meta-research study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Lunny ◽  
Jia He Zhang ◽  
Alyssa Chen ◽  
Trish Neelakant ◽  
Gavindeep Shinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Targeted Intervention ◽  
Complete Representation ◽  
Research Waste ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Medical Disciplines ◽  
Overviews Of Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Resources

Abstract Background Multiple ‘overviews of reviews’ conducted on the same topic (“overlapping overviews”) represent a waste of research resources, and can confuse clinicians who are required to choose among competing treatments. We aimed to assess the frequency and characteristics of overlapping overviews. Methods MEDLINE, Epistemonikos and Cochrane databases were searched for overviews that: synthesised reviews of health interventions and conducted systematic searches. Overlap in topic was defined as: duplication of PICO elements, not representing an update of a previous overview, and not a replication. We also categorized the overviews as broad or narrow in scope. Results Of 541 overviews identified (2000–2018), 172 (32%) overlapped across similar PICO. The overlapping overviews fell within 13 WHO ICD-10 medical classifications and 63 topics. The overviews may have overlapped partially or completely, such that a similar portion, major component(s), or complete representation of an overview was duplicated. 149/172 (87%) overlapping overviews were characterized as broad in scope. Most frequently, broad overviews had targeted populations for which multiple interventions were addressed (44%), or least frequently, they had a targeted intervention for multiple populations (17%). Conclusions One third of overviews overlapped in content with a majority covering broad topic areas, and fewer considering subsets of the evidence. A multiplicity of overviews on the same topic adds to the ongoing waste of research resources, time and effort across medical disciplines. This study and the database of 172 overlapping overviews can provide a guide to authors about which topics are covered, and gaps in the evidence for future analysis.

scholarly journals Topic overlap and research waste at the ‘Overviews of systematic reviews’ level: a meta-research study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Lunny ◽  
Jia He Zhang ◽  
Alyssa Chen ◽  
Trish Neelakant ◽  
Gavindeep Shinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Partial Overlap ◽  
Medical Disciplines ◽  
Overviews Of Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Resources

Abstract Background Multiple ‘overviews of reviews’ conducted on the same topic (“overlapping overviews”) represent a waste of research resources and can confuse clinicians making decisions amongst competing treatments. We aimed to assess the frequency and characteristics of overlapping overviews. Methods MEDLINE, Epistemonikos and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for overviews that: synthesised reviews of health interventions and conducted systematic searches. Overlap was defined as: duplication of PICO eligibility criteria, and not reported as an update nor a replication. We categorized overview topics according to 22 WHO ICD-10 medical classifications, overviews as broad or narrow in scope, and overlap as identical, nearly identical, partial, or subsumed. Subsummation was defined as when broad overviews subsumed the populations, interventions and at least one outcome of another overview. Results Of 541 overviews included, 169 (31%) overlapped across similar PICO, fell within 13 WHO ICD-10 medical classifications, and 62 topics. 148/169 (88%) overlapping overviews were broad in scope. Fifteen overviews were classified as having nearly identical overlap (9%); 123 partial overlap (73%), and 31 subsumed (18%) others. Conclusions One third of overviews overlapped in content and a majority covered broad topic areas. A multiplicity of overviews on the same topic adds to the ongoing waste of research resources, time and effort across medical disciplines. Authors of overviews can use this study and the sample of overviews to identify gaps in the evidence for future analysis, and topics that are already studied which do not need to be duplicated.

scholarly journals A new taxonomy was developed for overlap across ‘Overviews of systematic reviews’: a meta-research study of research waste

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Lunny ◽  
Jia He Zhang ◽  
Alyssa Chen ◽  
Trish Neelakant ◽  
Gavindeep Shinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Partial Overlap ◽  
Medical Disciplines ◽  
Overviews Of Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Resources

Abstract Background Multiple ‘overviews of reviews’ conducted on the same topic (“overlapping overviews”) represent a waste of research resources and can confuse clinicians making decisions amongst competing treatments. We aimed to assess the frequency and characteristics of overlapping overviews. Methods MEDLINE, Epistemonikos and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for overviews that: synthesised reviews of health interventions and conducted systematic searches. Overlap was defined as: duplication of PICO eligibility criteria, and not reported as an update nor a replication. We categorized overview topics according to 22 WHO ICD-10 medical classifications, overviews as broad or narrow in scope, and overlap as identical, nearly identical, partial, or subsumed. Subsummation was defined as when broad overviews subsumed the populations, interventions and at least one outcome of another overview. Results Of 541 overviews included, 169 (31%) overlapped across similar PICO, fell within 13 WHO ICD-10 medical classifications, and 62 topics. 148/169 (88%) overlapping overviews were broad in scope. Fifteen overviews were classified as having nearly identical overlap (9%); 123 partial overlap (73%), and 31 subsumed (18%) others. Conclusions One third of overviews overlapped in content and a majority covered broad topic areas. A multiplicity of overviews on the same topic adds to the ongoing waste of research resources, time and effort across medical disciplines. Authors of overviews can use this study and the sample of overviews to identify gaps in the evidence for future analysis, and topics that are already studied which do not need to be duplicated.

scholarly journals Exposure to Tobacco, Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Nicotine in Pregnancy: A Pragmatic Overview of Reviews of Maternal and Child Outcomes, Effectiveness of Interventions and Barriers and Facilitators to Quitting

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 2034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian S. Gould ◽  
Alys Havard ◽  
Ling Li Lim ◽  
Ratika Kumar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Nicotine Replacement ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
In Pregnancy

The aim of this review of reviews was to collate the latest evidence from systematic reviews about the maternal and child health outcomes of being exposed to tobacco and nicotine during pregnancy; the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce these exposures, and barriers to and facilitators of smoking cessation during pregnancy. Two databases were searched to obtain systematic reviews published from 2010 to 2019. Pertinent data from 76 articles were summarized using a narrative synthesis (PROSPERO reference: CRD42018085896). Exposure to smoke or tobacco in other forms during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications and adverse health outcomes for children exposed in-utero. Counselling interventions are modestly effective, while incentive-based interventions appear to substantially increase smoking cessation. Nicotine replacement therapy is effective during pregnancy but the evidence is not conclusive. Predictors and barriers to smoking cessation in pregnancy are also discussed. Smoking during pregnancy poses substantial risk to mother’s and child’s health. Psychosocial interventions and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) appear to be effective in helping pregnant women quit smoking. Barriers to smoking cessation must be identified and steps taken to eradicate them in order to reduce smoking among pregnant women. More research is needed on smoking cessation medications and e-cigarettes.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation: protocol for umbrella review and quality assessment of systematic reviews

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alemu S. Melka ◽  
Catherine L. Chojenta ◽  
Elizabeth G. Holliday ◽  
Deborah J. Loxton
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Umbrella Review

scholarly journals Systematic reviews and research waste

The Lancet ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 387 (10014) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Waste

scholarly journals Smoking cessation programmes for women living in disadvantaged communities, “We Can Quit 2”: A systematic review protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Emma Burke ◽  
Fiona Dobbie ◽  
Nadine Dougall ◽  
Mary Adebolu Oluwaseun ◽  
David Mockler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Systematic Review Protocol ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Review Protocol

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland with almost 6,000 smokers dying each year from smoking-related diseases. Amongst younger Irish women, smoking rates are considerably higher in those from socially disadvantaged areas compared to women from affluent areas. Women from poorer areas also experience higher rates of lung cancer. To our knowledge, there are no peer reviewed published systematic reviews on the effectiveness of interventions tailored to reduce smoking rates in women from disadvantaged areas. This systematic review protocol will aim to examine the effectiveness of such interventions and to describe trial processes such as recruitment, follow-up and dropout prevention strategies, as well as barriers and enablers of successful implementation.    A systematic review will be conducted of peer-reviewed randomised controlled trials and associated process evaluations of smoking cessation interventions designed for women living in socially disadvantaged areas. If the search returns, less than five studies are review criteria will expand to include quasi-experimental studies. A number of databases of scholarly literature will be searched from inception using a detailed search strategy. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles to identify relevant studies using a pre-defined checklist based on PICOS. In the case of disagreement, a third reviewer will be consulted. The quality of included studies will be assessed using the ‘Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation’ (GRADE) criteria. Quantitative data will be extracted and, if comparable, will be assessed using meta-analysis. A narrative meta-synthesis of qualitative data will be conducted.   This review aims to synthesise information from relevant studies on smoking cessation interventions tailored for women from socially disadvantaged areas. The evidence obtained from studies and presented in this review will help guide future research in this area. Registration: This review will be registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).

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