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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)

2,325 questions in 216 reviews · Airways

current versions
No studies 249 · 10.7%Ungraded 107 · 4.6%Very low 276 · 11.9%Low 751 · 32.3%Moderate 718 · 30.9%High 224 · 9.6%

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
Auto‐CPAP vs fixed CPAP
Adverse events (machine tolerability outcomes) · adults with a diagnosis of OSA
Pressure modification or humidification for improving usage of continuous positive airway pressure machines… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted9 studies · 574 participantsVery low
Bi‐PAP vs fixed CPAP
Machine usage (hours/night) · adults with a diagnosis of sleep apnoea
Pressure modification or humidification for improving usage of continuous positive airway pressure machines… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 268 participantsLow
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
All‐cause mortality · adults with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
OR 1.25 [0.61, 2.56]32 studies · 35751 participantsModerate
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
All‐cause non‐fatal serious adverse events · adults with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.87, 1.16]32 studies · 35751 participantsHigh
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
Asthma mortality · adults with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted31 studies · 24022 participantsLow
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
Asthma‐related non‐fatal serious adverse events · adults with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.86 [0.64, 1.14]30 studies · 35158 participantsModerate
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
All‐cause mortality · children and adolescents with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted10 studies · 4035 participantsLow
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
All‐cause non‐fatal serious adverse events · children and adolescents with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
OR 1.33 [0.71, 2.49]10 studies · 4035 participantsModerate
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
Asthma‐related mortality · children and adolescents with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted10 studies · 4035 participantsLow
Regular formoterol and ICS vs same‐dose ICS
Asthma‐related non‐fatal serious adverse events · children and adolescents with chronic asthma
Inhaled steroids with and without regular formoterol for asthma: serious adverse events (2019) · Cochrane
OR 1.18 [0.4, 3.51]10 studies · 4035 participantsVery low
Effects of different inhaled corticosteroids on growth in children with persistent asthma: fluticasone vs beclomethasone
Linear growth velocity (cm/year) · children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects of different drugs and delivery devices… (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.81 [0.46, 1.16]1 study · 23 participantsLow
Effects of different inhaled corticosteroids on growth in children with persistent asthma: fluticasone vs budesonide
Linear growth velocity (cm/year) · children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects of different drugs and delivery devices… (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.392 studies · 236 participantsVery low
Effects of different inhaled corticosteroids on growth in children with persistent asthma: fluticasone vs budesonide
Change in height (cm) over a period of time · children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects of different drugs and delivery devices… (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.97 [0.62, 1.32]2 studies · 359 participantsModerate
Effects of different delivery devices on growth in children with persistent asthma: hydrofluoroalkane‐metered dose inhaler beclomethasone vs chlorofluorocarbon‐metered dose inhaler beclomethasone
Linear growth velocity (cm/year) · children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects of different drugs and delivery devices… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 212 participantsLow
Effects of different delivery devices on growth in children with persistent asthma: Easyhaler‐budesonide vs Turbuhaler‐budesonide
Change in height (cm) over a period of time · children up to 18 years of age with persistent asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma: effects of different drugs and delivery devices… (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.37 [0.12, 0.62]1 study · 229 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Adherence Measured as number of participants who continued to use device at end of 2 months · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Adverse effects Measured as number of participants who discontinued device at end of 2 months · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Quality of life Assessed using SF‐36 or FOSQ · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 86 participantsModerate
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Sleep quality Assessed by average duration of slow‐wave and REM sleep periods · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 30 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Cognitive dysfunction · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 86 participantsVery low
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Apnoea‐Hypopnoea Index (AHI) · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 33 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Self‐reported adherence time · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsModerate
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Adverse effects · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Quality of life Assessed using SF‐36 or FOSQ · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Sleep quality Assessed by average duration of slow‐wave and REM sleep periods · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 13 participantsLow
Positional therapy vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Cognitive dysfunction · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 13 participantsUngraded
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 187 participantsModerate
Positional therapy vs inactive control
Apnoea‐Hypopnoea Index (AHI) · adults with obstructive sleep apnoea
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 277 participantsLow
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Exacerbations leading to hospitalisation (hospitalisations) · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 1873 participantsModerate
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Asthma symptoms leading to emergency hospital visits (ED visits) · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.7 [0.53, 0.92]13 studies · 3883 participantsLow
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Unplanned visit to hospital or GP due to asthma symptoms (unplanned medical visits) · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.74 [0.6, 0.9]5 studies · 3283 participantsModerate
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Absence from school · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted10 studies · 4609 participantsLow
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Experience of daytime and night‐time symptoms ‐ daytime symptoms (daytime symptoms) · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 1065 participantsModerate
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Use of reliever therapies, e.g. beta₂‐agonists (reliever therapies) · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.52 [0.15, 1.81]2 studies · 437 participantsVery low
Effects of school‐based asthma interventions vs usual care
Health‐related quality of life · asthma among children and adolescents
School‐based self‐management interventions for asthma in children and adolescents: a mixed methods… (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 2587 participantsModerate
Statins vs placebo
Number of exacerbations per person‐year · adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Statins versus placebo for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 877 participantsModerate
Statins vs placebo
Exacerbations requiring hospitalisation per person‐year · adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Statins versus placebo for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 877 participantsModerate
Statins vs placebo
All‐cause mortality · adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Statins versus placebo for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2019) · Cochrane
OR 1.03 [0.61, 1.74]2 studies · 952 participantsLow
Statins vs placebo
COPD‐specific mortality · adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Statins versus placebo for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2019) · Cochrane
OR 1.25 [0.38, 4.13]1 study · 877 participantsLow
Statins vs placebo
Quality of life · adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Statins versus placebo for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 3 participantsUngraded
Statins vs placebo
Adverse events · adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Statins versus placebo for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted8 studies · 8 participantsUngraded
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo
Improvement in WHO functional class · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
OR 8.59 [3.95, 18.72]4 studies · 282 participantsHigh
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo, on combination therapy
Six‐minute walk distance · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 509 participantsModerate
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo, on combination therapy
Mortality · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.26 [0.07, 1.06]3 studies · 492 participantsModerate
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo, on combination therapy
Quality of life physical functioning on SF‐36 (higher scores indicate better quality of life) · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 267 participantsModerate
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo, on combination therapy
PAP · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 387 participantsHigh
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo, on combination therapy
Cardiac output · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 310 participantsHigh
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs placebo, on combination therapy
PVR · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 303 participantsHigh
Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension ‐ PDE5i vs ERA
Improvement in WHO functional class · people with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension (2019) · Cochrane
OR 0.94 [0.55, 1.6]1 study · 244 participantsModerate