Gap finder
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.
2,325 questions in 216 reviews · Airways
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Summary of findings (water exercise vs no exercise) Quality of life St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (total score) Lower value post intervention is favourable, indicating improvement in QoL · people with COPD Water‐based exercise training for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 19 participants | Low |
Summary of findings (water exercise vs land exercise) Exercise capacity ‐ functional Six‐minute walk test (mean distance change in metres) · people with COPD Water‐based exercise training for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 62 participants | Moderate |
Summary of findings (water exercise vs land exercise) Exercise capacity ‐ peak Incremental shuttle walk test (mean distance change in metres) · people with COPD Water‐based exercise training for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 59 participants | Low |
Summary of findings (water exercise vs land exercise) Exercise capacity ‐ endurance Endurance shuttle walk test (mean distance change in metres) · people with COPD Water‐based exercise training for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 59 participants | Moderate |
Summary of findings (water exercise vs land exercise) Quality of life St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ; total score) Lower value post intervention is favourable, indicating improvement in QoL · people with COPD Water‐based exercise training for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 60 participants | Low |
Summary of findings (water exercise vs land exercise) Body composition Weight (mean change in kilograms) · people with COPD Water‐based exercise training for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 59 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Clinical failure (proportion of participants who were not cured or substantially improved (> 70% reduction in cough severity measure) at · children with subacute cough following acute bronchiolitis Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute cough in children (2013) · Cochrane | OR 0.61 [0.24, 1.55] | 2 studies · 98 participants | Low |
SiT for maintenance/relief vs higher‐dose ICS/LABA + SABA Outcomes · Studies recruited adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with chronic asthma Combination formoterol and budesonide as maintenance and reliever therapy versus combination inhaler… (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
SiT for maintenance/relief vs higher‐dose ICS/LABA + SABA People with exacerbations requiring hospitalisation · Studies recruited adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with chronic asthma Combination formoterol and budesonide as maintenance and reliever therapy versus combination inhaler… (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
SiT for maintenance/relief vs higher‐dose ICS/LABA + SABA Patients with exacerbations requiring oral steroids · Studies recruited adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with chronic asthma Combination formoterol and budesonide as maintenance and reliever therapy versus combination inhaler… (2013) · Cochrane | OR 0.75 [0.65, 0.87] | 9096 participants | High |
SiT for maintenance/relief vs higher‐dose ICS/LABA + SABA Patients with serious adverse events · Studies recruited adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with chronic asthma Combination formoterol and budesonide as maintenance and reliever therapy versus combination inhaler… (2013) · Cochrane | OR 0.92 [0.74, 1.13] | 9130 participants | Moderate |
SiT for maintenance/relief vs higher‐dose ICS/LABA + SABA Patients with severe exacerbations (requiring hospitalisation or ER visit) · Studies recruited adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with chronic asthma Combination formoterol and budesonide as maintenance and reliever therapy versus combination inhaler… (2013) · Cochrane | OR 0.72 [0.57, 0.9] | 7768 participants | High |
Intervention NR Quality of life · Participants with primary dysfunctional breathing/hyperventilation syndrome Breathing exercises for dysfunctional breathing/hyperventilation syndrome in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Symptoms (approx 4 weeks · Participants with primary dysfunctional breathing/hyperventilation syndrome Breathing exercises for dysfunctional breathing/hyperventilation syndrome in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 41 participants | Very low |
Nurse‐led vs physician‐led care Frequency of exacerbations · the management of asthma Nurse versus physician‐led care for the management of asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Nurse‐led vs physician‐led care Asthma severity and symptoms · the management of asthma Nurse versus physician‐led care for the management of asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Nurse‐led vs physician‐led care Healthcare costs, direct and indirect · the management of asthma Nurse versus physician‐led care for the management of asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Nurse‐led vs physician‐led care Quality of life at 12 months Different self‐report questionnaires. Scale from: ‐1 to 1 · the management of asthma Nurse versus physician‐led care for the management of asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 380 participants | Moderate |
Nurse‐led vs physician‐led care Hospital admissions Number of people having 1 or more hospital admission · the management of asthma Nurse versus physician‐led care for the management of asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 447 participants | Moderate |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Primary outcome · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Proportion of participants who achieved clinical cure or significant improvement (> 70% reduction in cough severity measure) at · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 180 participants | Low |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Secondary outcomes · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Proportion of participants who achieved clinical cure or > 50% reduction in cough severity measure at · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 230 participants | Low |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Proportion of participants with clinical cure at · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 320 participants | Low |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Mean change in cough score Symptomatic cough severity measure as assessed by the patient · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 346 participants | Low |
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) vs placebo Proportion with adverse effects of treatment · adults with subacute and chronic cough Inhaled corticosteroids for subacute and chronic cough in adults (2013) · Cochrane | OR 1.67 [0.92, 3.04] | 4 studies · 381 participants | Moderate |
Anti‐leukotrienes & ICS vs same dose ICS Participants with one or more exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids · Children with asthma Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma (2013) · Cochrane | Risk Ratio 0.8 | 1 study · 279 participants | Low |
Anti‐leukotrienes & ICS vs same dose ICS Participants with exacerbations requiring hospital admission · Children with asthma Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 279 participants | Very low |
Anti‐leukotrienes & ICS vs same dose ICS Change from baseline FEV₁ (%) · Children with asthma Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 279 participants | Low |
Anti‐leukotrienes & ICS vs higher dose ICS Participants with one or more exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids · Children with asthma Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma (2013) · Cochrane | Risk Ratio 0.82 | 1 study · 182 participants | Low |
Anti‐leukotrienes & ICS vs higher dose ICS Participants with exacerbations requiring hospital admission · Children with asthma Addition of anti‐leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids in children with persistent asthma (2013) · Cochrane | Risk Ratio 1 | 1 study · 182 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Quality of life1 Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). Scale from: 1 (worse) to 7 (better). · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 50 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Asthma symptoms Different scales in different studies (lower scores mean fewer symptoms) · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 58 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Exacerbations requiring hospital admission · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Exacerbations requiring a course of oral corticosteroids · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Intervention NR Urgent asthma physician visits1 Number of times the child visited a physician's office/clinic for an asthma flare up · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 44 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Resting lung function Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in 1 second (litres) · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 113 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Fitness6 Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) · children and adolescents aged 18 years and under studies with asthma Swimming training for asthma in children and adolescents aged 18 years and under (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 32 participants | High |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Patients with 1 or more exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (duration 12 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.07 [0.87, 1.32] | 7 studies · 1204 participants | Low |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Patients with serious adverse health events (duration 12 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.82 [0.33, 2.03] | 6 studies · 1055 participants | Low |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Patients with at least 1 exacerbation requiring emergency department/acute care visit (duration 12 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | RR 1.08 [0.9, 1.3] | 6 studies · 1055 participants | Low |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Change from baseline AM PEFR (%) (duration 44 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 350 participants | Moderate |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Proportion of asthma control days over the period (duration 44 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 330 participants | Moderate |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Change from baseline mean daily use of β2‐agonists (puffs/day) (duration 24 to 44 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.12 [0, 0.23] | 3 studies · 442 participants | Moderate |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Change in height (cm) (duration 44 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.41 [0.13, 0.69] | 4 studies · 532 participants | Moderate |
Intermittent 'as needed' ICS vs daily ICS Overall withdrawals (duration 12 to 52 weeks) · Children and adults with persistent asthma. Intermittent versus daily inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma in children and adults (2013) · Cochrane | OR 1.05 [0.75, 1.46] | 7 studies · 1210 participants | Low |
Beclometasone/LABA vs LABA Change in FEV1 · participants with stable stage 3 COPD, smokers and ex‐smokers with a minimum pack‐year history of 20 Beclometasone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 465 participants | High |
Beclometasone vs placebo Pneumonia: participants with at least one (dichotomous Peto odds ratios) · participants with stable stage 2 and 3 COPD (mainly FEV1 49 ± 12% predicted), ex‐smokers (majority), smokers and… Beclometasone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies · 0 participants | Ungraded |
Beclometasone vs placebo Exacerbations: participants with at least one (dichotomous) · participants with stable stage 2 and 3 COPD (mainly FEV1 49 ± 12% predicted), ex‐smokers (majority), smokers and… Beclometasone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies · 0 participants | Ungraded |
Beclometasone vs placebo Symptoms: change in dyspnoea scale (Fletcher Scale) Fletcher dyspnoea scale (1 to 5) · participants with stable stage 2 and 3 COPD (mainly FEV1 49 ± 12% predicted), ex‐smokers (majority), smokers and… Beclometasone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 194 participants | Moderate |