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Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

915 questions in 93 reviews · Emergency and Critical Care

current versions
No studies 141 · 15.4%Ungraded 22 · 2.4%Very low 216 · 23.6%Low 272 · 29.7%Moderate 188 · 20.5%High 76 · 8.3%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Enteral vs enteral and parenteral nutrition
Number of ICU‐free days up to day 28 · critically ill adults admitted to the ICU for trauma, emergency, or post‐surgical care; population excludes…
Enteral versus parenteral nutrition and enteral versus a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition for… (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Automated monitoring systems vs standard care
Time to initiation of antimicrobial therapy (Time to initiation starts at the time of admission) · participants of any age admitted to the intensive care or critical care unit for any reason (including, but not…
Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1200 participantsVery low
Automated monitoring systems vs standard care
Time to initiation of fluid resuscitation (Time to initiation starts at the time of admission) · participants of any age admitted to the intensive care or critical care unit for any reason (including, but not…
Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Automated monitoring systems vs standard care
30‐day mortality* · participants of any age admitted to the intensive care or critical care unit for any reason (including, but not…
Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Automated monitoring systems vs standard care
Length of stay in ICU (in days) · participants of any age admitted to the intensive care or critical care unit for any reason (including, but not…
Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 442 participantsVery low
Automated monitoring systems vs standard care
Failed detection of sepsis (as reported by studies) · participants of any age admitted to the intensive care or critical care unit for any reason (including, but not…
Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 560 participantsVery low
Automated monitoring systems vs standard care
Quality of life measured at the latest available time point post‐discharge from ICU (preferred measure SF‐36 then EQ‐5D) · participants of any age admitted to the intensive care or critical care unit for any reason (including, but not…
Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs no agent
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured through reports of participants or family members or by personnel assessments Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs another agent specifically administered to promote sleep
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured by PSG, actigraphy, BIS or EEG Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 66 participantsVery low
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs another agent specifically administered to promote sleep
Anxiety or depression, or both, as measured using validated tools Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs another agent specifically administered to promote sleep
Adverse events (such as cardiovascular events, respiratory events or illness resulting from immune deficiency) · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs no agent
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured by PSG, actigraphy, BIS or EEG Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 13 participantsVery low
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs no agent
Anxiety or depression, or both, as measured using validated tools Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs no agent
Adverse events (such as cardiovascular events, respiratory events or illness resulting from immune deficiency) · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs propofol at a different rate or dose
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured through reports of participants or family members or by personnel assessments Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs propofol at a different rate or dose
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured by PSG, actigraphy, BIS or EEG Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs propofol at a different rate or dose
Anxiety or depression, or both, as measured using validated tools Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs propofol at a different rate or dose
Adverse events (such as cardiovascular events, respiratory events or illness resulting from immune deficiency) · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in the intensive care unit vs another agent specifically administered to promote sleep
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured through reports of participants or family members or by personnel assessments Data collected at end of study · critically ill adults in the intensive care unit
Propofol for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 106 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured through reports of participants or of family members or by personnel assessments Data collected at end of · adult patients in the ICU
Melatonin for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 139 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Quantity and quality of sleep as measured by PSG, actigraphy, BIS, or EEG Data collected at end of · adult patients in the ICU
Melatonin for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 37 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Anxiety or depression, or both Data collected at end of · adult patients in the ICU
Melatonin for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 82 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Mortality Study authors did not report final timepoint for data collection. · adult patients in the ICU
Melatonin for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 94 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Length of stay in the ICU · adult patients in the ICU
Melatonin for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 82 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Adverse events (such as nausea, dizziness and headache) Data collected at end of · adult patients in the ICU
Melatonin for the promotion of sleep in adults in the intensive care unit (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 107 participantsVery low
Sumatriptan vs placebo
Risk of acute mountain sickness · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.43 [0.21, 0.84]1 study · 102 participantsLow
Spironolactone vs placebo
Risk of high altitude pulmonary oedema · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 193 participantsLow
Spironolactone vs placebo
Risk of High altitudecerebral oedema · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 193 participantsLow
Spironolactone vs placebo
Risk of adverse events ‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Acetazolamide vs spironolactone
Risk of acute mountain sickness · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.36 [0.18, 0.7]1 study · 232 participantsLow
Acetazolamide vs spironolactone
Risk of high altitude pulmonary oedema · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 232 participantsLow
Acetazolamide vs spironolactone
Risk of high altitude cerebral oedema · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 232 participantsLow
Acetazolamide vs spironolactone
Risk of adverse events ‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sumatriptan vs placebo
Risk of high altitude pulmonary oedema ‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sumatriptan vs placebo
Risk of high altitude cerebral oedema ‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sumatriptan vs placebo
Risk of adverse events ‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Magnesium citrate vs placebo
Risk of acute mountain sickness · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.09 [0.55, 2.13]1 study · 70 participantsLow
Magnesium citrate vs placebo
Risk of high altitude pulmonary oedema‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Magnesium citrate vs placebo
Risk of high altitude cerebral oedema‐ not reported · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Magnesium citrate vs placebo
Risk of adverse events: Loose stools · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.25 [1.17, 8.99]1 study · 70 participantsLow
Spironolactone vs placebo
Risk of acute mountain sickness · participants at risk of high altitude illness
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 2. Less commonly‐used drugs (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 205 participantsVery low
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
Immediate success rate · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.78 [0.69, 0.89]6 studies · 435 participantsModerate
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
One‐year success rate · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.07 [0.96, 1.18]4 studies · 318 participantsModerate
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
Hospitalization rate · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.6 [0.25, 1.47]3 studies · 245 participantsVery low
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
Duration of hospital stay · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 387 participantsModerate
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
Adverse events · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 245 participantsLow
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
Cost‐effectiveness Not reported · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Simple aspiration vs intercostal tube drainage
Patient satisfaction · adults with primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Simple aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 48 participantsLow
Heat and moisture exchangers (HME) vs heated humidifiers (HH)
Artificial airway occlusion (measured over 3‐15 days (median 4 days)) · ventilated adults (18 trials) and children (1 trial)
Heat and moisture exchangers versus heated humidifiers for mechanically ventilated adults and children (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.59 [0.6, 4.19]15 studies · 2171 participantsLow
Heat and moisture exchangers (HME) vs heated humidifiers (HH)
Mortality ‐ all cause (Measured over 3‐15 days (median 8 days)) · ventilated adults (18 trials) and children (1 trial)
Heat and moisture exchangers versus heated humidifiers for mechanically ventilated adults and children (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.89, 1.2]12 studies · 1951 participantsLow