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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
Indacaterol vs placebo
Number of participants with clinically significant improvement in dyspnoea TDI · people with COPD
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1.96 [1.73, 2.22]8 studies · 4577 participantsHigh
Indacaterol vs placebo
Number of participants experiencing 1 or more exacerbations · people with COPD
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.81 [0.7, 0.94]7 studies · 4807 participantsHigh
Indacaterol vs placebo
Serious adverse events · people with COPD
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.82, 1.23]9 studies · 6065 participantsModerate
Indacaterol vs placebo
Mortality · people with COPD
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.42 [0.16, 1.08]9 studies · 5694 participantsModerate
Indacaterol vs twice‐daily long‐acting beta2‐agonists
End‐of‐study trough FEV1 mL · patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 2708 participantsHigh
Indacaterol vs twice‐daily long‐acting beta2‐agonists
Number of participants with a clinically significant improvement in quality of life SGRQ · patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1.07 [0.87, 1.32]2 studies · 1520 participantsModerate
Indacaterol vs twice‐daily long‐acting beta2‐agonists
Number of participants with a clinically significant improvement in dyspnoea TDI · patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Indacaterol, a once‐daily beta₂‐agonist, versus twice‐daily beta₂‐agonists or placebo for chronic… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1.11 [0.94, 1.32]3 studies · 2536 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids ‐ School‐age children · School‐aged children and adults
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.57 [0.29, 1.12]1 study · 145 participantsLow
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Quality of Life PedsQL total score · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 143 participantsLow
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Day time asthma score Standardised mean difference · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 364 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Night time asthma score Standardised mean difference · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 364 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Adverse events · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.86 [0.42, 1.75]1 study · 166 participantsLow
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids ‐ adults · School‐aged children and adults
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.1 [0.01, 1.95]1 study · 240 participantsLow
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Serious adverse events · School‐aged children and adults
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.14, 7.25]2 studies · 385 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Day time asthma score Mean difference · School‐aged children and adults
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 240 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Night time asthma score Mean difference · School‐aged children and adults
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 240 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Adverse events · School‐aged children and adults
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 2.9 [0.12, 71.96]1 study · 243 participantsLow
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.48 [0.31, 0.73]4 studies · 490 participantsModerate
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Serious adverse events · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.42 [0.17, 1.02]3 studies · 439 participantsLow
Intermittent ICS vs placebo
Hospitalisations · Preschool children
Intermittent inhaled corticosteroid therapy versus placebo for persistent asthma in children and adults (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.73 [0.23, 2.29]3 studies · 327 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Apnoea‐ hypopnoea index (AHI) (events/h) · participants with sleep apnoea prescribed sedatives, hypnotics (including benzodiazepines (BZDs), non‐BZD GABAA…
Effects of opioid, hypnotic and sedating medications on sleep‐disordered breathing in adults with… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Intervention NR
Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) · participants with sleep apnoea prescribed sedatives, hypnotics (including benzodiazepines (BZDs), non‐BZD GABAA…
Effects of opioid, hypnotic and sedating medications on sleep‐disordered breathing in adults with… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Intervention NR
Fall in minimum SpO2 · participants with sleep apnoea prescribed sedatives, hypnotics (including benzodiazepines (BZDs), non‐BZD GABAA…
Effects of opioid, hypnotic and sedating medications on sleep‐disordered breathing in adults with… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Exacerbation: systemic corticosteroids 17 weeks · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1.74 [0.83, 3.65]4 studies · 1257 participantsModerate
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Asthma control: ACQ 17 weeks · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 645 participantsModerate
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Serious adverse events 17 weeks · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.82 [0.28, 2.42]5 studies · 1342 participantsModerate
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Asthma‐related quality of life 12 weeks · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 359 participantsModerate
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Exacerbation: hospital 17 weeks · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 1342 participantsLow
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Adverse events (all) · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.83 [0.66, 1.05]5 studies · 1339 participantsModerate
Stopping LABA vs continuing use of LABA+ICS
Withdrawal (all) · adults with asthma well controlled on LABA and ICS
Stopping long‐acting beta₂‐agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1.95 [1.47, 2.58]5 studies · 1352 participantsModerate
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
Exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (OCS) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.65 [0.46, 0.93]4 studies · 2277 participantsHigh
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
Quality of life (AQLQ) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1713 participantsHigh
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
All‐cause serious adverse events 24 weeks · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.6 [0.23, 1.57]5 studies · 2562 participantsLow
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
Exacerbations requiring hospital admission 24 weeks · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.42 [0.12, 1.47]5 studies · 2562 participantsModerate
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
Lung function ‐ trough FEV1 (L, change from baseline) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 2459 participantsHigh
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
Asthma control (ACQ) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1916 participantsModerate
LAMA add‐on vs ICS alone
Any adverse events 24 weeks · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS alone
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.95 [0.8, 1.14]5 studies · 2562 participantsLow
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
Exacerbations requiring a course of OCSa 14 weeks · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.57 [0.22, 1.43]1 study · 174 participantsLow
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
AQLQ score (Scale 1 to 7, where 1 = severely impaired and 7 = no impairment) · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 1 participantsLow
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
SAEs (all cause) · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.2, 5.09]1 study · 174 participantsLow
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
Exacerbations requiring hospitalisation 14 weeks · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.06, 16.24]1 study · 174 participantsLow
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
Exacerbations requiring ED visit 14 weeks · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.49 [0.09, 2.77]1 study · 174 participantsLow
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
FEV1 pre‐albuterol (L) · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 1 participantsModerate
ICS + LAMA add‐on vs ICS dose increase
ACQ score Scale = 0 to 6 (0 = no impairment; 6 = maximum impairment) · adults with asthma
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 1 participantsLow
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) add‐on vs long‐acting beta2‐agonists (LABA) add‐on
Exacerbations (OCS) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 1.05 [0.5, 2.18]3 studies · 1755 participantsLow
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) add‐on vs long‐acting beta2‐agonists (LABA) add‐on
AQLQ total 1 = severely impaired; 7 = not impaired at all 22 weeks · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 1745 participantsHigh
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) add‐on vs long‐acting beta2‐agonists (LABA) add‐on
Serious adverse events 22 weeks · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.84 [0.41, 1.73]4 studies · 2012 participantsLow
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) add‐on vs long‐acting beta2‐agonists (LABA) add‐on
Exacerbations (hospital) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of… (2015) · Cochrane
OR 0.72 [0.18, 2.92]4 studies · 2022 participantsVery low
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) add‐on vs long‐acting beta2‐agonists (LABA) add‐on
Trough FEV1 (L) · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 1745 participantsModerate
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) add‐on vs long‐acting beta2‐agonists (LABA) add‐on
ACQ total 0 = no impairment; 6 = maximum impairment 23 weeks · adults with asthma not well controlled on ICS
Long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of… (2015) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1483 participantsHigh