Month: February 2016

Article review

Article review: Wasted research when systematic reviews fail to provide a complete and up-to-date evidence synthesis

Wasted research when systematic reviews fail to provide a complete and up-to-date evidence synthesis: the example of lung cancer. Créquit P et al. BMC Medicine 2016 14:8 Should I admit to liking this article?  Enjoying it because it highlights the folly of relying on high-cost, not fit for purpose, systematic reviews. The background of the paper is: “Multiple treatments are frequently available for a given … Continue reading Article review: Wasted research when systematic reviews fail to provide a complete and up-to-date evidence synthesis

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Event

Rapid review workshop outline

I’ve been asked to run an ‘introduction’ to rapid reviews workshop (open only to those in the organisation).  Below is the proposed outline and is liable to change in the next 2-3 weeks. Start. Introduction to rapid reviews.  This will cover the need for speed, the principles of value of information, two types of approaches to rapidity etc. 20 mins, with 10 minutes for questions Examples … Continue reading Rapid review workshop outline

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Commentary

Different approaches to rapidity

I have been reflecting that many of the approaches towards rapid reviews start with the notion of a systematic review and approach rapidity by removing bits. For example they may search fewer databases or perhaps only have one person assessing for bias.  But the principle is that the person undertaking the review (and those commissioning it) believe that the approach will not affect the result … Continue reading Different approaches to rapidity

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Example Rapid Review

Example rapid review: Brexpiprazole for schizophrenia v2

Brexpiprazole for schizophrenia Background: Brexpiprazole (proposed proprietary name “Rexulti”) is a new molecular entity atypical antipsychotic co-developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd (Otsuka) and H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck). The mechanism of action is unknown. Methods: The FDA site was searched to locate relevant documents.  If these were not sufficient then EPARs from the European Medicines Agency were to be used.  Relevant data was extracted and … Continue reading Example rapid review: Brexpiprazole for schizophrenia v2

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Example Rapid Review

Another piece in the puzzle

Over the past week I’ve been working on a new method of rapid reviews, one based on FDA regulatory documents [1, 2, 3].  In pursuing the reviews and their development I had a conversation with Kamal Mahtani (Deputy Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine) who asked if the FDA documents contained the data to undertake a meta-analysis.  Great question!  But I had no idea as I’ve … Continue reading Another piece in the puzzle

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Example Rapid Review

Example rapid review: Feedback from Erick Turner

Inspired by Erick Turner I wrote these two rapid reviews based on FDA reports: Brexpiprazole for schizophrenia Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes I produced these reviews, not to claim perfection but to familiarise myself with the type of content and to try to see what a report might look like.  After I’d finished them I sent the links to Erick who, very generously, supplied some … Continue reading Example rapid review: Feedback from Erick Turner

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