Table 3.
Types of rapid reviews used to inform recommendations in rapid advice guidelines
| Types of rapid reviews [7] | Traditional systematic review (conducted rapidly) | Rapid review of systematic reviews | Rapid review of systematic reviews plus primary studies | Rapid review of primary studies only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time frame | Up to 16 weeks | Up to 12 weeks | Up to 12 weeks | Up to 12 weeks |
| Methods | ||||
| Question types | Clinical effectiveness, clinical efficacy; safety/harms; diagnostic or screening test accuracy; cost-effectiveness; health systems, education, public health, policy/programs, or prevention interventions | |||
| Number of questions | Multiple (targeted and narrow in scope) | 1 primary question (targeted) | ||
| Literature search | No restrictions | Restrictions (e.g., date, study design, language, setting) | ||
| Number of databases searched | No restrictions (comprehensive) | 2–3 databases | ||
| Use of systematic reviews | Systematic reviews and primary studies | Systematic reviews only | Systematic reviews plus primary studies | Primary studies only |
| Gray literature | Yes, as appropriate | Limited (e.g., key web sites) | ||
| Screening | 2 reviewers | 2 reviewers: second reviewer may only review excluded studies at title/abstract phase of screening | ||
| Types of study designs included | RCTs and observational studies as appropriate | Systematic reviews and guidelines only (highest quality) | Systematic reviews and guidelines plus RCTs or observational studies (highest quality) | RCTs or observational studies only (highest quality) |
| Data extraction | Complete verification | Selected verification | ||
| Outcomes | Restricted to four critical outcomes or fewer | 2–4 critical outcomes only: more if data are available | ||
| Assessment of risk of bias at the individual study level | Yes (using validated instruments when available) | |||
| Assessment of the quality of the body of evidence | GRADE for critical outcomes as appropriate | Reliance on GRADE as reported in the included systematic review(s); or perform de novo for each systematic review | GRADE for critical outcomes as appropriate | |
Abbreviations: GRADE, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation; RCTs, randomized controlled trials.
Types of rapid reviews and characteristics from Garritty (2013).