Commentary

BMJ Clinical Evidence Blog: The Rise of Rapid Reviews

I was recently asked to write a blog article for the BMJ’s Clinical Evidence Blog, so I did… “Perfect is the enemy of good” Voltaire Rapid reviews are becoming increasingly commissioned, used and written about. But why is there this, relatively sudden, interest? Putting it bluntly, it’s because the cornerstone of evidence synthesis, the systematic review, is becoming increasingly out of touch with the needs … Continue reading BMJ Clinical Evidence Blog: The Rise of Rapid Reviews

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Article review

Article review: An international survey and modified Delphi approach revealed numerous rapid review methods

An international survey and modified Delphi approach revealed numerous rapid review methods. Tricco AC et al. J Clin Epidemiol. 2016 Feb;70:61-7. This was actually published, ahead of schedule, in August last year, but the official citation is for 2016.  So far, the first paper on rapid reviews that I’ve found.  The objectives of the study are: “To solicit experiences with and perceptions of rapid reviews … Continue reading Article review: An international survey and modified Delphi approach revealed numerous rapid review methods

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Event

Finalised rapid review workshop outline

The workshop continues to take shape, even the ‘pitch’ to entice the academics to attend: Rapid reviews are becoming increasingly popular and talked about.  This is arguably because systematic reviews are becoming most costly and less usable.  But rapid reviews are an unknown quantity with no agreed methodology; even the term rapid is open to interpretation.  To some, rapid is six months, to other it … Continue reading Finalised rapid review workshop outline

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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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Example Rapid Review

Example rapid review: Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes

The second rapid review produced using regulatory data, the first being Brexpiprazole for schizophrenia. Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes Background: Empagliflozin is a reversible, potent and selective competitive inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2). SGLT2 is highly expressed in the kidney (proximal tubules) where it is responsible for 90% of glucose reabsorption from the glomerular filtrate back into the circulation. Inhibition of SGLT2 reduces renal … Continue reading Example rapid review: Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes

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