Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications.

Rationale: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is responsible for around 27% of global maternal deaths. Perineal tears are common in vaginal births and a significant contributor to excessive blood loss. A diversity of perineal techniques are utilised to prevent perineal trauma and reduce the incidence of PPH; however, they lack evidence-based comparisons to understand their effects.

Selective outcome reporting in trials of behavioural health interventions in health psychology and behavioural medicine journals: a review.

Selective outcome reporting can result in overestimation of treatment effects, research waste, and reduced openness and transparency. This review aimed to examine selective outcome reporting in trials of behavioural health interventions and determine potential outcome reporting bias. A review of nine health psychology and behavioural medicine journals was conducted to identify randomised controlled trials of behavioural health interventions published since 2019.

Variability in meta-analysis estimates of continuous outcomes using different standardization and scale-specific re-expression methods.

Objectives: To explore the impact of using different data standardization and scale-specific re-expression methods (i.e., processes to convert standardized data into scale-specific units) in meta-analyses using standardized mean differences (SMDs).

Lay health workers in primary and community health care for maternal and child health: identification and treatment of wasting in children.

Background: Since the early 2010s, there has been a push to enhance the capacity to effectively treat wasting in children through community-based service delivery models and thus reduce morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of identification and treatment of moderate and severe wasting in children aged five years or under by lay health workers working in the community compared with health providers working in health facilities.

Search Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, two other databases, and two ongoing trials registers to 24 September 2021.

Using Risk of Bias 2 to assess results from randomised controlled trials: guidance from Cochrane.

A systematic review identifies, appraises and synthesises all the empirical evidence from studies that meet prespecified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question. As part of the appraisal, researchers use explicit methods to assess risk of bias in the results' from included studies that contribute to the review's findings, to improve our confidence in the review's conclusions. Randomised controlled trials included in Cochrane Reviews have used a specific risk of bias tool to assess these included studies since 2008.

Splinting for the non-operative management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children under six months of age.

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) describes the abnormal development of a hip in childhood, ranging from complete dislocation of the hip joint to subtle immaturity of a hip that is enlocated and stable within the socket. DDH occurs in around 10 per 1000 live births, though only one per 1000 are completely dislocated. There is variation in treatment pathways for DDH, which differs between hospitals and even between clinicians within the same hospital.

Cannabis and cannabinoids for symptomatic treatment for people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Spasticity and chronic neuropathic pain are common and serious symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). These symptoms increase with disease progression and lead to worsening disability, impaired activities of daily living and quality of life. Anti-spasticity medications and analgesics are of limited benefit or poorly tolerated.

Reporting of Cochrane systematic review protocols with network meta-analyses-A scoping review.

Publishing systematic review protocols is a fundamental part of systematic reviews to ensure transparency and reproducibility. In this scoping review, we aimed to evaluate reporting of Cochrane systematic review protocols with network meta-analyses (NMA). We searched all Cochrane NMA protocols published in 2018 and 2019, and assessed the characteristics and reporting of methodologies relevant to NMA.

Reliability of the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB2) improved with the use of implementation instruction.

Objective: to assess the inter-rater reliability (IRR) of the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB2).

Methods: Four raters independently applied RoB2 on critical and important outcomes of individually randomized parallel-group trials (RCTs) included in the Cochrane Review "Cannabis and cannabinoids for people with multiple sclerosis." We calculated Fleiss' Kappa for multiple raters and time to complete the tool; we performed a calibration exercise on five studies, then we developed an implementation document (ID) specific for the condition, and the intervention addressed by the review with instructions on how to answer the signalling questions of RoB2 tool.

Development of a checklist to detect errors in meta-analyses in systematic reviews of interventions: study protocol.

Systematic reviews underpin clinical practice and policies that guide healthcare decisions. A core component of many systematic reviews is meta-analysis, which is a statistical synthesis of results across studies. Errors in the conduct and interpretation of meta-analysis can lead to incorrect conclusions regarding the benefits and harms of interventions; and studies have shown that these errors are common.

Following the science? Comparison of methodological and reporting quality of covid-19 and other research from the first wave of the pandemic.

Background: Following the initial identification of the 2019 coronavirus disease (covid-19), the subsequent months saw substantial increases in published biomedical research. Concerns have been raised in both scientific and lay press around the quality of some of this research. We assessed clinical research from major clinical journals, comparing methodological and reporting quality of covid-19 papers published in the first wave (here defined as December 2019 to May 2020 inclusive) of the viral pandemic with non-covid papers published at the same time.

STrengthening the Reporting Of Pharmacogenetic Studies: Development of the STROPS guideline.

Background: Large sample sizes are often required to detect statistically significant associations between pharmacogenetic markers and treatment response. Meta-analysis may be performed to synthesize data from several studies, increasing sample size and, consequently, power to detect significant genetic effects. However, performing robust synthesis of data from pharmacogenetic studies is often challenging because of poor reporting of key data in study reports.

Video calls for reducing social isolation and loneliness in older people: a rapid review.

Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic has been identified as a possible trigger for increases in loneliness and social isolation among older people due to the restrictions on movement that many countries have put in place. Loneliness and social isolation are consistently identified as risk factors for poor mental and physical health in older people. Video calls may help older people stay connected during the current crisis by widening the participant's social circle or by increasing the frequency of contact with existing acquaintances.

CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised crossover trials.

Evidence shows the quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials is not optimal. The lack of transparent reporting impedes readers from judging the reliability and validity of trial findings, prevents researchers from extracting information for systematic reviews, and results in research waste. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement was developed to improve the reporting of randomised controlled trials.

Protocol for the development of the STrengthening the Reporting Of Pharmacogenetic Studies (STROPS) guideline: checklist of items for reporting pharmacogenetic studies.

Introduction: Large sample sizes are often required to detect statistically significant associations between pharmacogenetic markers and treatment response. Meta-analysis may be performed to synthesise data from several studies, increasing sample size and consequently power to detect significant genetic effects. However, performing robust synthesis of data from pharmacogenetic studies is often challenging due to poor reporting of key data in study reports.

A cross-sectional audit showed that most Cochrane intervention reviews searched trial registers.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess current Cochrane Review practice in identifying and incorporating information from clinical trial registers.

Study Design And Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess a sample of new or updated intervention reviews from all Cochrane Review Groups up to February 1, 2017. Two assessors independently extracted data from each review using a pretested audit questionnaire.

variants and toxicity related to anti-tuberculosis agents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) patients receiving anti-tuberculosis treatment may experience serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) such as hepatotoxicity. Variants of the -acetyltransferase 2 () gene may increase the risk of experiencing such toxicity events.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence base for associations between variants and anti-tuberculosis drug-related toxicity.

Methodological review showed correct absolute effect size estimates for time-to-event outcomes in less than one-third of cancer-related systematic reviews.

Objectives: To evaluate in how many cancer-related Cochrane reviews hazard ratio (HR)-based absolute effects in summary of findings (SoF) tables have been correctly calculated and reported.

Study Design And Setting: We identified all Cochrane cancer intervention reviews that reported an HR for at least one outcome and provided a SoF table, published between January 2011 and December 2017 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Results: In 28 reviews (29%) of 96 included Cochrane reviews, absolute effects in the SoF tables were calculated in a correct manner.

Part-time in general practice-a remedy to a time-based problem?

Background: Increasing numbers of GPs are reducing the hours they work in clinical practice. The reasons for and implications of this are not well-understood.

Objective: To investigate how the demands of general practice, especially new time pressures, impact GPs' professional and personal lives and work hour choices.

CYP genetic variants and toxicity related to anti-tubercular agents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs may cause patients to experience serious adverse effects. Genetic factors, such as polymorphisms of CYP genes, may increase the likelihood of a patient experiencing such adverse drug reactions. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we synthesised evidence for associations between CYP genetic variants and anti-tuberculosis drug-related toxicity outcomes.