Literature Search Methods
Rapid Response reports are organized so that the evidence for each research question is presented separately.
A limited literature search was conducted on key resources including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) databases, Canadian and major international health technology agencies, as well as a focused Internet search. Methodological filters were applied to limit retrieval to health technology assessments, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies, and guidelines. Where possible, retrieval was limited to the human population. The search was also limited to English language documents published between January 1, 2006 and February 3, 2017.
Selection Criteria and Methods
One reviewer screened citations and selected studies. In the first level of screening, titles and abstracts were reviewed and potentially relevant articles were retrieved and assessed for inclusion. The final selection of full-text articles was based on the inclusion criteria presented in .
Exclusion Criteria
Articles were excluded if they did not meet the selection criteria outlined in Table 1, they were duplicate publications, or were published prior to 2006.
Critical Appraisal of Individual Studies
The included systematic reviews were critically appraised using the AMSTAR instrument,5 non-randomized studies were critically appraised using the Downs and Black checklist,6 and guidelines were assessed with the AGREE II instrument.7 Summary scores were not calculated for the included studies; rather, a review of the strengths and limitations of each included study were described.
