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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: Lancet Oncol. 2015 Mar;16(3):e123–e136. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(14)70409-7
Strong recommendation to do
Benefits >>> risks & burdens
Based on high quality evidence, using anchor terms usch as ‘is recommended’, and with low degree of uncertainty.
Moderate recommendation to do
Benefits >> risks & burdens
Based on moderate quality of evidence, using anchor terms such as ‘is reasonable’, with higher degree of uncertainty.
Weak recommendation to do
Benefits >= risks & benefits
Based on weak quality of evidence, using anchor terms such as ‘may be reasonable’, with high degree of uncertainty; other factors such as patient preferences and costs need to be considered in the decision making process.
Recommendation not to do
No benefit/Potentially harm

Abbreviations: AHA/ACC, American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology

Gibbons RJ, Smith S, Antman E. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines: Part I: where do they come from? Circulation. 2003; 107(23): 2979–86.