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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
Intervention NR
Pneumonia, community acquired, at least 1 episode · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.59 [0.41, 0.85]6 studies · 1372 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Pneumococcal pneumonia, at least 1 episode · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.26 [0.05, 1.31]3 studies · 1158 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Death from cardiorespiratory causes · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.07 [0.69, 1.66]3 studies · 888 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Death from all causes · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.72, 1.4]5 studies · 1053 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Hospital admission: any cause, at least 1 episode · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.74 [0.32, 1.74]3 studies · 391 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
COPD exacerbation: at least 1 episode · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.6 [0.39, 0.93]4 studies · 446 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Lung function: FEV1 (L) · patients with COPD
Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 142 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Pulmonary function (% predicted FEV1) (90 to 120 minutes) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 120 participantsVery low
MgSO4 + SABA vs SABA
Pulmonary function PEF L/min ‐ Children (60 minutes) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 80 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA vs SABA
Admission to hospital at initial presentation · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.78 [0.52, 1.15]6 studies · 375 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA vs SABA
Serious adverse events (During ED/hospital admission) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 243 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA vs SABA
Any adverse events (During ED/hospital admission) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 694 participantsLow
MgSO4 vs SABA
Lung function · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
MgSO4 vs SABA
Clinical severity score ‐ Fischl index (120 minutes) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 93 participantsVery low
MgSO4 vs SABA
Admission to hospital at initial presentation · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.53 [0.05, 5.31]1 study · 33 participantsVery low
MgSO4 vs SABA
Serious adverse events (During ED/hospital admission) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 53 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Pulmonary function % predicted PEF (60 minutes) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 636 participantsModerate
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Clinical severity scores (60 minutes) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1130 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Admission at first presentation · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.91, 1]4 studies · 1308 participantsModerate
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Readmission (7 to 30 days) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.8 [0.84, 3.87]2 studies · 750 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Serious adverse events (during admission) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 557 participantsModerate
MgSO4 + SABA + ipratropium vs SABA + ipratropium
Any adverse event (during admission) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1197 participantsHigh
MgSO4 + SABA vs SABA
Pulmonary function % predicted FEV1 (20 minutes to 2 to 3 h) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 208 participantsLow
MgSO4 + SABA vs SABA
Pulmonary function PEF L/min ‐ Adults (20 minutes to 2 to 3 h) · adults and children with acute exacerbation of asthma
Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 155 participantsLow
Non‐invasive ventilation vs usual medical care
Mortality · Patients admitted to hospital with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to an exacerbation of chronic obstructive…
Non‐invasive ventilation for the management of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to exacerbation of… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.54 [0.38, 0.76]12 studies · 854 participantsModerate
Non‐invasive ventilation vs usual medical care
Need for endotracheal intubation · Patients admitted to hospital with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to an exacerbation of chronic obstructive…
Non‐invasive ventilation for the management of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to exacerbation of… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.36 [0.28, 0.46]17 studies · 1105 participantsModerate
Non‐invasive ventilation vs usual medical care
Length of hospital stay (days) · Patients admitted to hospital with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to an exacerbation of chronic obstructive…
Non‐invasive ventilation for the management of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to exacerbation of… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted10 studies · 888 participantsModerate
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils vs tailored interventions based on clinical symptoms
Number of participants who had one or more exacerbations over the study period · adults and children with asthma
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.36 [0.21, 0.62]3 studies · 228 participantsModerate
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils vs tailored interventions based on clinical symptoms
Hospitalisations · adults and children with asthma
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.28 [0.09, 0.84]4 studies · 269 participantsModerate
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils vs tailored interventions based on clinical symptoms
Mean dose of inhaled corticosteroids per person per day (BUD equivalent mcg/day) · adults and children with asthma
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 316 participantsLow
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils vs tailored interventions based on clinical symptoms
Mean daily use of oral corticosteroids per person per day · adults and children with asthma
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 68 participantsUngraded
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils vs tailored interventions based on clinical symptoms
Yearly cost per person (USD) · adults and children with asthma
Tailored interventions based on sputum eosinophils versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 68 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Severe exacerbations requiring hospitalisation over the study period · Children from minority groups with doctor diagnosed asthma
Culture‐specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.55 [0.6, 3.66]1 study · 88 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Number of exacerbations over 52 weeks · Children from minority groups with doctor diagnosed asthma
Culture‐specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 110 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Number of participants who had one or more exacerbation of the study period · Adults from minority groups with doctor diagnosed asthma
Culture‐specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.8 [0.5, 1.26]1 study · 294 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Number of participants requiring oral corticosteroids over the study period · Adults from minority groups with doctor diagnosed asthma
Culture‐specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.97 [0.55, 1.73]1 study · 294 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Severe exacerbations requiring hospitalisation over the study period · Adults from minority groups with doctor diagnosed asthma
Culture‐specific programs for children and adults from minority groups who have asthma (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.83 [0.31, 2.22]1 study · 294 participantsVery low
Antibiotics vs placebo or no treatment
Number of participants who were not cured at · children < 24 months with persistent respiratory symptoms following acute bronchiolitis
Antibiotics for persistent cough or wheeze following acute bronchiolitis in children (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.69 [0.37, 1.28]2 studies · 249 participantsLow
Antibiotics vs placebo or no treatment
Number of participants rehospitalised for a respiratory illness · children < 24 months with persistent respiratory symptoms following acute bronchiolitis
Antibiotics for persistent cough or wheeze following acute bronchiolitis in children (2017) · Cochrane
OR 1.19 [0.67, 2.12]2 studies · 240 participantsLow
Antibiotics vs placebo or no treatment
Proportion of participants with recurrent wheeze · children < 24 months with persistent respiratory symptoms following acute bronchiolitis
Antibiotics for persistent cough or wheeze following acute bronchiolitis in children (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.47 [0.06, 3.95]2 studies · 240 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Patients with ≥ 1 exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids Duration of trials: 6 to 16 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.5 [0.29, 0.86]4 studies · 815 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Change from baseline in mean asthma symptom score Greater the reduction, better the outcome Duration of trials: 12 to 13 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1539 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Overall adverse effects Duration of trials: 8 to 16 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.96 [0.89, 1.03]6 studies · 1899 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Death Duration of trials: 12 to 13 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 834 participantsLow
Intervention NR
% change from baseline ICS dose Duration of trials: 12 to 24 weeks More reduction is better · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 930 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Participants with ≥ 1 exacerbation requiring oral corticosteroids Duration of trials: 8 to 24 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.46 [0.2, 1.04]5 studies · 542 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Change from baseline in morning PEFR (L/min) Duration of trials: 12 to 24 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 218 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Overall adverse effects Duration of trials: 8 to 24 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.83, 1.08]6 studies · 1100 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Serious adverse events Duration of trials: 12 to 20 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 2.44 [1.52, 3.92]2 studies · 621 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Death Duration of trials: 8 to 24 weeks · adults and adolescents with persistent asthma
Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 3.1 [0.13, 75.1]6 studies · 1100 participantsLow