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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)

1,956 questions in 143 reviews · Musculoskeletal

current versions
No studies 555 · 28.4%Ungraded 107 · 5.5%Very low 255 · 13%Low 555 · 28.4%Moderate 357 · 18.3%High 127 · 6.5%

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
Subacromial decompression vs placebo surgery
Functional outcome (Constant score from 0‐100, 100 is best) · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 274 participantsHigh
Subacromial decompression vs placebo surgery
Global assessment of treatment success · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.93, 1.27]2 studies · 290 participantsModerate
Subacromial decompression vs placebo surgery
Health‐related quality of life (scale from −0.59 to 1, 1 is perfect health) · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 285 participantsHigh
Subacromial decompression vs placebo surgery
Adverse events · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.91 [0.31, 2.65]2 studies · 406 participantsModerate
Subacromial decompression vs placebo surgery
Serious adverse events · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 331 participantsModerate
Subacromial decompression vs exercises
Paina (scale from: 0‐10, 0 is no pain) · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 316 participantsLow
Subacromial decompression vs exercises
Functional outcomee (scale from 0‐100, 100 is best) · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 259 participantsLow
Subacromial decompression vs exercises
Global assessment of treatment success · people with impingement syndrome without full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Subacromial decompression surgery for rotator cuff disease (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.21 [0.96, 1.51]2 studies · 158 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Fractures · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.54 [0.17, 1.71]1 study · 78 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Falls · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.53, 2.1]1 study · 89 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Pain Scale: VAS (0 to 10), pain subscale of Functional Status Index (0 to 10) Higher score indicates greater pain levels · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 426 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Physical performance: performance‐based measures TUG test · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 139 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Physical performance: self‐report questionnaires Physical function subscale from the QUALEFFO‐41 Scale from 0 to 100 Lower scores indicate better physical function · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 109 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Disease‐specific quality of life QUALEFFO‐41 total score Scale from 0 to 100 Lower scores indicate better quality of life · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 109 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Adverse events · individuals with osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Exercise for improving outcomes after osteoporotic vertebral fracture (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 447 participantsVery low
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Disease activity score · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 501 participantsHigh
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion participants that switched to another biologic due to loss of response ‐ not measured · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion participants with minimal radiographic progression · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.69 [1.1, 2.59]3 studies · 549 participantsHigh
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Function · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 1498 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Number of serious adverse events · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.29 [0.82, 2.03]8 studies · 2095 participantsVery low
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Withdrawals due to adverse events · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.46 [0.75, 2.84]4 studies · 1116 participantsModerate
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Disease activity score · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 357 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants with persistent remission · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.75, 1.06]1 study · 180 participantsHigh
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants switched to another biologic due to loss of response · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.62 [0.25, 1.54]2 studies · 317 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants with minimal radiographic progression · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.45 [0.77, 2.73]2 studies · 312 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Function · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 123 participantsModerate
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants with persistent remission · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.01 [0.8, 1.28]2 studies · 612 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Number of serious adverse events · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.24 [0.42, 3.7]2 studies · 317 participantsVery low
Anti‐TNF disease activity–guided dose tapering vs anti‐TNF continuation
Withdrawals due to adverse events ‐ not measured · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants switched to another biologic · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.4 [0.17, 0.93]1 study · 323 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants with minimal radiographic progression · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.76, 1.95]2 studies · 553 participantsModerate
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Function · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 501 participantsHigh
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Number of serious adverse events · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.09 [0.65, 1.82]5 studies · 1084 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF dose reduction vs anti‐TNF continuation
Withdrawals due to adverse events · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.07 [0.51, 2.24]3 studies · 937 participantsLow
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Disease activity score ‐ · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 733 participantsModerate
Anti‐TNF discontinuation vs anti‐TNF continuation
Proportion of participants with persistent remission · people with rheumatoid arthritis with low disease activity using a standard dose of anti‐TNF agents
Down‐titration and discontinuation strategies of tumour necrosis factor–blocking agents for rheumatoid… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 1188 participantsLow
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Physical function · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 312 participantsModerate
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Patient global assessment of disease activity · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 1068 participantsLow
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Spinal mobility · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 85 participantsVery low
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Fatigue · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Adverse effects associated with exercises Exercise programme duration: range 3 to 24 weeks · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
Peto OR 6.25 [0.1, 320.4]2 studies · 110 participantsVery low
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Adverse events Exercise programme duration: range 3 to 24 weeks · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Pain · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 288 participantsLow
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Patient global assessment of disease activity · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 262 participantsModerate
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Spinal mobility · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 232 participantsVery low
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Fatigue · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 72 participantsVery low
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Adverse effects associated with exercises Exercise programme duration: range 3 to 24 weeks · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
Peto OR 6.25 [0.1, 320.4]2 studies · 110 participantsVery low
Exercise programmes vs no intervention
Withdrawals because of adverse events Exercise programme duration: range 3 to 24 weeks · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
Peto OR 1.08 [0.74, 1.57]8 studies · 1343 participantsLow
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Physical function · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 1068 participantsModerate
Exercise programmes vs usual care
Pain · adults with ankylosing spondylitis
Exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 911 participantsModerate