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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
Inhaled mannitol vs placebo
Hospitalisations Number of participants experiencing one of more hospitalisations. · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.61 [0.34, 1.09]1 study · 461 participantsModerate
Inhaled mannitol vs placebo
Adverse events · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.96 [0.61, 1.51]2 studies · 804 participantsModerate
Inhaled mannitol vs placebo
Mortality · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Inhaled mannitol vs placebo
Health‐related quality of life measured on the SGRQ Scale from 0 to 100. Low on the scale is better. · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 840 participantsModerate
Inhaled mannitol vs placebo
Symptoms Bronchiectasis Symptoms Questionnaire · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 343 participantsModerate
Inhaled mannitol vs placebo
Lung function FEV1 (L) · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
MD 0.031 study · 343 participantsModerate
Hypertonic saline vs isotonic saline
Frequency and duration of exacerbations · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 70 participantsUngraded
Hypertonic saline vs isotonic saline
Hospitalisations · patients with bronchiectasis
Inhaled hyperosmolar agents for bronchiectasis (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
Participants with one or more exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.76, 0.99]8 studies · 6257 participantsHigh
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
Morning PEFR: L/min change from baseline · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted11 studies · 6161 participantsModerate
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
FEV1: L change from baseline · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted10 studies · 4999 participantsHigh
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
Rescue‐free days: % change from baseline · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 2612 participantsModerate
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
Rescue medication use: puffs/d change from baseline · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 4055 participantsHigh
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
Withdrawals for any reason · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.74, 0.96]13 studies · 6960 participantsModerate
LABA + ICS vs LTRA + ICS
Serious adverse events · patients with chronic asthma
Addition to inhaled corticosteroids of long‐acting beta₂‐agonists versus anti‐leukotrienes for chronic asthma (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.33 [0.99, 1.79]9 studies · 6288 participantsModerate
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (stable steroid)
Number of participants with at least one exacerbation All asthmatic participants (16 to 60 weeks) · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.55 [0.46, 0.65]10 studies · 3261 participantsModerate
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (stable steroid)
Number of participants with at least one exacerbation Moderate to severe asthma (16 to 60 weeks) · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.5 [0.42, 0.6]7 studies · 2889 participantsModerate
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (stable steroid)
Number of participants with at least one exacerbation Severe asthma (16 to 32 weeks) · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.5, 1.99]2 studies · 277 participantsLow
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (stable steroid)
Mortality 16 to 60 weeks · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.19 [0.02, 1.67]9 studies · 4245 participantsLow
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (stable steroid)
Hospitalisations 28 to 60 weeks · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.16 [0.06, 0.42]4 studies · 1824 participantsModerate
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (stable steroid)
Adverse event—serious 16 to 60 weeks · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.72 [0.57, 0.91]15 studies · 5713 participantsModerate
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (steroid reduction)
Number of participants achieving complete inhaled steroid withdrawal 28 to 32 weeks · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 2.5 [2, 3.13]4 studies · 1634 participantsLow
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (steroid reduction)
>50% reduction in inhaled steroid usage 28 to 32 weeks · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 2.5 [2.02, 3.1]4 studies · 1634 participantsModerate
Subcutaneous omalizumab + steroid vs placebo + steroid (steroid reduction)
Exacerbations requiring hospitalisation 28 weeks · adults and children with asthma
Omalizumab for asthma in adults and children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.11 [0.03, 0.48]3 studies · 1405 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Clinical failure—primary outcome (by intention‐to‐treat analysis) · children with chronic cough of unknown origin lasting longer than 4 weeks
Clinical pathways for chronic cough in children (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.35 [0.21, 0.58]1 study · 272 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
PC‐QOL mean score at 6 weeks PC‐QOL is a 27‐item questionnaire. Each question has a 7‐point score ranging from 1 (worst quality of life) to 7 (best quality of life). Scores for each item were added and the average taken · children with chronic cough of unknown origin lasting longer than 4 weeks
Clinical pathways for chronic cough in children (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 226 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Duration of cough post randomisation · children with chronic cough of unknown origin lasting longer than 4 weeks
Clinical pathways for chronic cough in children (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 226 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Proportion of adverse events experienced · children with chronic cough of unknown origin lasting longer than 4 weeks
Clinical pathways for chronic cough in children (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate
Intervention NR
Proportions of participants experiencing adverse events or complications · children with chronic cough of unknown origin lasting longer than 4 weeks
Clinical pathways for chronic cough in children (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate
Intervention NR
Average FEV1 % predicted value · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 286 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Average FVC value · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 197 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Quality of life: Marks Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 108 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Asthma symptoms · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 166 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Asthma control · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
SMD 0.29 [0.01, 0.58]2 studies · 194 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Beta agonist use; puffs/d · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 117 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Asthma distress; Asthma Bother Profile · adults and children with asthma
Written emotional disclosure for asthma (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 101 participantsLow
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Exercise capacity: percentage change in peak work rate Incremental cycle or incremental treadmill test · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 60 participantsLow
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Exercise capacity: percentage change constant work rate endurance time Constant work rate cycle endurance test · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 48 participantsLow
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Exercise capacity: endurance time (minutes) Constant work rate cycle endurance test · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 48 participantsLow
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Health‐related quality of life Change in total score of St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Scale from 0 to 100 · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 48 participantsModerate
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Physical activity: not measured · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Training intensity: fInal training session (% baseline peak work capacity) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 67 participantsModerate
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training vs exercise training alone or exercise training with sham non‐invasive ventilation
Physiological outcomes: isoload blood lactate (mmol/L) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Non‐invasive ventilation during exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 37 participantsModerate
Tiotropium vs placebo
Quality of life (SGRQ) Scale 0 to 100, where 100 represents worst possible health status and 0 indicates best possible health status · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted9 studies · 13034 participantsHigh
Tiotropium vs placebo
Number of patients with a clinically significant improvement (≥ 4 units) in quality of life (SGRQ) · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
OR 1.52 [1.38, 1.68]9 studies · 11672 participantsHigh
Tiotropium vs placebo
Number of patients with a clinically significant worsening (≥ 4 units) in quality of life (SGRQ) · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.65 [0.59, 0.72]9 studies · 11672 participantsHigh
Tiotropium vs placebo
Number of patients with one or more exacerbations · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.78 [0.7, 0.87]22 studies · 23309 participantsHigh
Tiotropium vs placebo
Number of patients with one or more exacerbations requiring hospitalisation · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.85 [0.72, 1]21 studies · 22852 participantsModerate
Tiotropium vs placebo
Number of patients with one or more hospitalisations for any cause · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.88, 1.13]19 studies · 20963 participantsModerate
Tiotropium vs placebo
Mortality · people with COPD who have smoked for ≥ 10 pack‐years
Tiotropium versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2014) · Cochrane
OR 0.98 [0.86, 1.11]22 studies · 23309 participantsModerate