Characteristics of non-randomised studies of drug treatments: cross sectional study.

Objective: To examine the characteristics of comparative non-randomised studies that assess the effectiveness or safety, or both, of drug treatments.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Data Sources: Medline (Ovid), for reports published from 1 June 2022 to 31 August 2022.

A cross-sectional study assessing visual abstracts of randomized trials revealed inadequate reporting and high prevalence of spin.

Objectives: Visual abstracts (VAs) lack study-specific reporting guidelines and are increasingly used as stand-alone sources in medical research dissemination although not designed for this purpose. Therefore, our objectives were to describe 1) completeness of reporting in VAs and corresponding written abstracts (WAs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and 2) the extent and type of spin (ie, any reporting pattern that could distort result interpretation and mislead readers) in VAs and WAs of RCTs with a statistically nonsignificant primary outcome.

Study Design And Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating VAs and WAs of RCTs published between January 1, 2021, and March 3, 2023.

Interleukin-6 blocking agents for treating COVID-19: a living systematic review.

Background: It has been reported that people with COVID-19 and pre-existing autoantibodies against type I interferons are likely to develop an inflammatory cytokine storm responsible for severe respiratory symptoms. Since interleukin 6 (IL-6) is one of the cytokines released during this inflammatory process, IL-6 blocking agents have been used for treating people with severe COVID-19.

Objectives: To update the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of IL-6 blocking agents compared to standard care alone or to a placebo for people with COVID-19.

Efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: Different forms of vaccines have been developed to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus and subsequent COVID-19 disease. Several are in widespread use globally.  OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines (as a full primary vaccination series or a booster dose) against SARS-CoV-2.

Interleukin-1 blocking agents for treating COVID-19.

Background: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) blocking agents have been used for treating severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), on the premise that their immunomodulatory effect might be beneficial in people with COVID-19.

Objectives: To assess the effects of IL-1 blocking agents compared with standard care alone or with placebo on effectiveness and safety outcomes in people with COVID-19. We will update this assessment regularly.