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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.
1,751 questions in 147 reviews · Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
SSRIs or SNRIs vs placebo Headache duration (hours) · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 40 participants | Low |
SSRIs or SNRIs vs placebo Symptomatic/analgesic medication for acute headache attacks (doses/month) · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 118 participants | Low |
SSRIs or SNRIs vs placebo Headache index · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 128 participants | Very low |
SSRIs or SNRIs vs placebo Quality of life · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
SSRIs or SNRIs vs placebo Withdrawals due to adverse events · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | OR 3.72 [0.79, 17.53] | 3 studies · 190 participants | Very low |
SSRIs or SNRIs vs other antidepressants Headache frequency (number of days with headache) · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 152 participants | Very low |
SSRIs or SNRIs vs other antidepressants Headache intensity (mean score) · patients with tension‐type headache Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for… (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 152 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR At least 50% reduction in pain or equivalent (substantial) · adults with fibromyalgia Amitriptyline for fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane | RR 2.9 [1.7, 4.9] | 4 studies · 275 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR At least 30% reduction in pain or equivalent (moderate) · adults with fibromyalgia Amitriptyline for fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Adverse event withdrawals · adults with fibromyalgia Amitriptyline for fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane | RR 1.03 [0.49, 2.2] | 4 studies · 298 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Serious adverse events · adults with fibromyalgia Amitriptyline for fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Death · adults with fibromyalgia Amitriptyline for fibromyalgia in adults (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Placebo Adverse effects (side effects; treatment withdrawals) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Johnson 1993 (5 mg tds): sweating 37%, headache 15%, urinary frequency 14%, vasodilatation 12%, dizziness 10%, dyspepsia 10%, nausea 8%, asthenia 8%, diarrhoea 5%; 6% withdrew at 5 mg tds and 29% at 10 mg tds. LeVeque… | 2 studies · 278 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Artificial saliva (mucin-based) Other oral symptoms (dysgeusia, dysphagia) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Davies 1994 assessed dysgeusia and dysphagia; pilocarpine reported more effective than mucin-based artificial saliva for dysgeusia. No pooled data. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Artificial saliva (mucin-based) Xerostomia (subjective dry mouth; absolute change in VAS score) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Davies 1994 (cross-over, 20 participants): mean improvement in VAS score 22.5 mm with pilocarpine vs 15.2 mm with artificial saliva (100 mm scale). The improvement was greater with pilocarpine but was not statistically… | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine hydrochloride (parasympathomimetic) vs Artificial saliva (mucin-based) Adverse effects (side effects; treatment withdrawals) · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | Davies 1994: main side effects with pilocarpine were nausea 20%, sweating 15%, lacrimation 10%. One participant definitely withdrew because of side effects; another may have. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Intervention NR At least 50% of maximum pain relief over 4 to 6 hours · adults with moderate or severe acute postoperative pain Single dose oral etoricoxib for acute postoperative pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | RR 5.6 [4, 7.8] | NR | High |
Intervention NR Participants with at least 1 adverse event · adults with moderate or severe acute postoperative pain Single dose oral etoricoxib for acute postoperative pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | RR 0.93 [0.74, 1.2] | NR | Moderate |
Intervention NR Participants with a serious adverse event · adults with moderate or severe acute postoperative pain Single dose oral etoricoxib for acute postoperative pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Low |
Intervention NR Deaths · adults with moderate or severe acute postoperative pain Single dose oral etoricoxib for acute postoperative pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Low |
Intervention NR "Substantial" benefit At least 50% reduction in pain or equivalent · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | RR 6.5 [3.4, 12] | 4 studies · 188 participants | Low |
Intervention NR "Moderate" benefit At least 30% reduction in pain · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |
Intervention NR Proportion below 30/100 mm on VAS · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |
Intervention NR Patient Global Impression of Change much or very much improved · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |
Intervention NR Any adverse event · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | RR 2.4 [1.9, 3.2] | 4 studies · 346 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Adverse event withdrawals · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 8 studies · 523 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Serious adverse events · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 46 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Death · adults with neuropathic pain (Trigeminal neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, chronic post stroke pain) Carbamazepine for chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 44 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR At least 50% reduction in pain or equivalent · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 69 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR "Moderate" benefit At least 30% reduction in pain · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Proportion below 30/100 mm on VAS · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Patient Global Impression of Change much or very much improved · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Adverse event withdrawals · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |
Intervention NR Serious adverse events · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |
Intervention NR Death · Adults with cancer pain Codeine, alone and with paracetamol (acetaminophen), for cancer pain (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |
Intervention NR Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain) Acute conditions · adults with strains or sprains (acute) or osteoarthritis or low back pain (chronic) Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 324 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain) Chronic conditions · adults with strains or sprains (acute) or osteoarthritis or low back pain (chronic) Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 455 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Adverse events ‐ any adverse events Acute and chronic conditions combined · adults with strains or sprains (acute) or osteoarthritis or low back pain (chronic) Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 11 studies · 984 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Adverse events ‐ local adverse events Acute and chronic conditions combined · adults with strains or sprains (acute) or osteoarthritis or low back pain (chronic) Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 869 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Withdrawals ‐ lack of efficacy Acute and chronic conditions combined · adults with strains or sprains (acute) or osteoarthritis or low back pain (chronic) Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 501 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Withdrawals ‐ adverse events Acute and chronic conditions combined · adults with strains or sprains (acute) or osteoarthritis or low back pain (chronic) Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 7 studies · 737 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Pain‐free response at 2 h · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | High |
Intervention NR Headache relief at 2 h · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | High |
Intervention NR Headache relief at 1 h · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | High |
Intervention NR Sustained pain‐free during the 24 h post dose · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Moderate |
Intervention NR Sustained headache relief during the 24 h post dose · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | High |
Intervention NR At least one AE · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | High |
Intervention NR Serious AE* · adults with migraine headache ‐ moderate or severe pain Zolmitriptan for acute migraine attacks in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Moderate |
Intervention NR Effective pain relief · adults with acute pain Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant for acute pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4262 participants | High |
Intervention NR Serious adverse events · adults with acute pain Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant for acute pain in adults (2014) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | Very low |