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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)

1,751 questions in 147 reviews · Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care

current versions
No studies 361 · 20.6%Ungraded 87 · 5%Very low 625 · 35.7%Low 367 · 21%Moderate 232 · 13.2%High 79 · 4.5%

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
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Reduction in analgesic and narcotic use One month after radiation · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.27 [0.96, 1.67]1 study · 262 participantsModerate
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Urinary continence One month after radiation · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.97 [0.93, 1.02]1 study · 275 participantsModerate
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Local recurrence · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.1 [0.01, 1.72]1 study · 276 participantsLow
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Adverse events Grade 3 oesophagitis, diarrhoea, and nausea · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.77 [0.43, 7.25]1 study · 276 participantsModerate
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Quality of life · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Ambulation At four months · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.98 [0.38, 2.48]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Survival At four months · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.59, 2.53]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Reduction in analgesic use · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.42, 1.81]1 study · 26 participantsVery low
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Urinary continence One month after treatment · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.57, 2]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Local recurrence · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Single‐fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (16 Gy
Survival · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis with visceral metastasis, and no spinal…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 1 participantsModerate
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Adverse events · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 29 participantsUngraded
Laminectomy plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Quality of life · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (single lesion, no prior radiotherapy, fit for surgery)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Ambulation Immediately after completing RT · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.48 [1.16, 1.9]1 study · 101 participantsLow
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Survival (short term) At 30 days · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.09 [0.96, 1.24]1 study · 101 participantsLow
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Reduction in analgesic and narcotic use · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsUngraded
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Urinary continence · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsUngraded
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Local recurrence · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Adverse events · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsUngraded
Decompressive surgery plus radiotherapy vs radiotherapy
Quality of life · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (fit for surgery, paraplegic less than 48 hours, and without…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Ambulation · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.81, 1.45]3 studies · 105 participantsLow
Single‐fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (16 Gy
Reduction in analgesic and narcotic use One month after radiation · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis with visceral metastasis, and no spinal…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.62, 1.16]1 study · 271 participantsModerate
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Survival (long term) Over two years · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.11 [0.24, 5.05]1 study · 57 participantsLow
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Pain reduction · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.86 [0.62, 1.2]1 study · 25 participantsLow
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Urinary continence One week after treatment · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.18 [0.66, 2.13]1 study · 34 participantsLow
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Local recurrence ‐ · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Serious adverse events · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 8.02 [1.03, 62.37]2 studies · 77 participantsModerate
High‐dose corticosteroids vs moderate‐dose or no corticosteroids
Quality of life · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (without peptic ulceration or infection; mixed prognosis)
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Single‐fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (16 Gy
Urinary continence One month after radiation · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis with visceral metastasis, and no spinal…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.96, 1.1]1 study · 303 participantsModerate
Single‐fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (16 Gy
Local recurrence MRI: · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis with visceral metastasis, and no spinal…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 2.21 [0.69, 7.01]1 study · 303 participantsLow
Single‐fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (16 Gy
Adverse events Grade 3 oesophagitis, diarrhoea and nausea · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis with visceral metastasis, and no spinal…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.69]1 study · 303 participantsModerate
Single‐fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (16 Gy
Quality of life · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis with visceral metastasis, and no spinal…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Ambulation One month after treatment · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.9, 1.15]1 study · 276 participantsModerate
Split‐course radiotherapy (8 fractions, 30 Gy) vs short‐course radiotherapy (2 fractions, 16 Gy)
Survival · adults with metastatic extradural spinal cord compression (poor prognosis, no spinal instability or bony impingement…
Interventions for the treatment of metastatic extradural spinal cord compression in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 1 participantsModerate
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
Topical diclofenac gel (as Emulgel) Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain) · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 314 participantsHigh
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
Topical ibuprofen gel Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain) · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 241 participantsModerate
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
Topical ketoprofen gel Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain) · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 348 participantsModerate
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
All topical NSAIDs Local adverse events · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted42 studies · 6125 participantsHigh
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
All topical NSAIDs Systemic adverse events · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted38 studies · 5372 participantsHigh
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
All topical NSAIDs Withdrawals ‐ adverse events · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted42 studies · 5790 participantsHigh
Topical NSAIDs vs topical placebo
Serious adverse events · adults with strains, sprains, or muscle pull
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Intervention NR
Milnacipran 100 mg/day · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted100 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
At least 50% reduction in pain or equivalent (substantial) · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1250 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
At least 30% reduction in pain or equivalent (moderate) · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1925 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Adverse event withdrawals · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 2379 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Serious adverse events · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 2378 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Death · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Milnacipran 200 mg/day · adults with fibromyalgia
Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted200 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Cry duration · Children 1‐16 years undergoing needle‐related procedures Summary of sub‐analysis findings: Children 1‐4 years: Cry time
Sweet tasting solutions for reduction of needle‐related procedural pain in children aged one to 16 years (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted520 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Change in short‐term disability (function) FIM motor · 106 participants with primary brain tumour
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation after primary brain tumour treatment (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 106 participantsLow