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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)

448 questions in 37 reviews · Multiple Sclerosis and Rare Diseases of the CNS

current versions
No studies 50 · 11.2%Ungraded 14 · 3.1%Very low 132 · 29.5%Low 160 · 35.7%Moderate 76 · 17%High 16 · 3.6%

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
Rituximab as 'switching' vs other disease‐modifying treatments
Interferon beta or glatiramer acetate · relapsing multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
OR 1.71 [1.11, 2.62]5477 participantsModerate
Rituximab as 'switching' vs other disease‐modifying treatments
Ocrelizumab · relapsing multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
OR 0.02 [0, 0.4]472 participantsVery low
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs other disease‐modifying treatments
Interferon beta or glatiramer acetate · relapsing multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
HR 0.14 [0.05, 0.39]335 participantsModerate
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs other disease‐modifying treatments
Dimethyl fumarate · relapsing multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
HR 0.29 [0.08, 1]206 participantsLow
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs other disease‐modifying treatments
Natalizumab · relapsing multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
HR 0.24 [0.06, 1]170 participantsLow
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs other disease‐modifying treatments
Fingolimod · relapsing multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
HR 0.26 [0.04, 1.69]137 participantsVery low
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs placebo
Disability worsening measured by EDSS over 24 months · primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
OR 0.71 [0.45, 1.11]1 study · 439 participantsModerate
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs placebo
Relapse measured by clinical assessment over 24 months · primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
OR 0.6 [0.18, 1.99]1 study · 439 participantsLow
Rituximab as 'first choice' vs placebo
Serious adverse events measured by clinical assessment over 28 months · primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Rituximab for people with multiple sclerosis (2021) · Cochrane
OR 1.25 [0.71, 2.2]1 study · 439 participantsLow
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) vs monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
Relapse(assessed as number of participants experiencing relapse) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.88, 1.2]3 studies · 217 participantsVery low
Omega‐3 vs omega‐6
SAEs (assessed as number of participants experiencing a SAE) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.12 [0.38, 3.31]4 studies · 230 participantsLow
Antioxidant vs placebo
Relapse(assessed as number of participants experiencing relapse) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.98 [0.59, 1.64]4 studies · 345 participantsLow
Antioxidant vs placebo
Change in validated disability scale ( · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted6 studies · 490 participantsVery low
Antioxidant vs placebo
Global impression of deterioration (investigator defined global impression of deterioration) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.5, 1.93]2 studies · 190 participantsLow
Antioxidant vs placebo
MRI activity(assessed as number of participants with gadolinium‐enhancing lesions) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.09, 4.88]2 studies · 131 participantsVery low
Antioxidant vs placebo
SAEs (assessed as number of participants experiencing a SAE) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.72 [0.17, 3.08]3 studies · 222 participantsLow
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) vs monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
Change in validated disability scale ( · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 102 participantsVery low
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) vs monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
Global impression of deterioration (investigator defined global impression of deterioration) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.71, 1.03]4 studies · 542 participantsLow
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) vs monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
MRI activity ‐ not measured · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) vs monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
SAEs (assessed as number of participants experiencing a SAE) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 40 participantsLow
Omega‐3 vs omega‐6
Relapse(assessed as number of participants experiencing relapse) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.62, 1.66]2 studies · 129 participantsLow
Omega‐3 vs omega‐6
Change in validated disability scale ( · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 166 participantsLow
Omega‐3 vs omega‐6
Global impression of deterioration (investigator defined global impression of deterioration) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.99 [0.51, 1.91]1 study · 86 participantsModerate
Omega‐3 vs omega‐6
MRI activity(assessed by new gadolinium‐enhancing lesions) · adults with multiple sclerosis, defined by established criteria
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis‐related outcomes (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 86 participantsModerate
Standard valve vs anti‐syphon valve
Treatment failure: morbidity associated with shunt placement that led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 296 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Quality of life · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Standard valve vs self‐adjusting CSF flow‐regulating valve
Treatment failure: morbidity associated with shunt placement that led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
Standard valve vs self‐adjusting CSF flow‐regulating valve
Adverse events: morbidity related to the shunt placement that has not led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
Standard valve vs self‐adjusting CSF flow‐regulating valve
Mortality In the early postoperative period (≤ 30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
Standard valve vs self‐adjusting CSF flow‐regulating valve
Mortality Beyond the early postoperative period (> 30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
Standard valve vs self‐adjusting CSF flow‐regulating valve
Quality of life · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
External differential programmable pressure valve vs non‐programmable valves
Treatment failure: morbidity associated with shunt placement that led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 377 participantsLow
External differential programmable pressure valve vs non‐programmable valves
Adverse events: morbidity related to the shunt placement that has not led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 377 participantsLow
External differential programmable pressure valve vs non‐programmable valves
Mortality In the early postoperative period (≤30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
External differential programmable pressure valve vs non‐programmable valves
Mortality Beyond the early postoperative period (>30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Standard valve vs anti‐syphon valve
Adverse events: morbidity related to the shunt placement that has not led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
External differential programmable pressure valve vs non‐programmable valves
Quality of life · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Standard valve vs anti‐syphon valve
Mortality In the early postoperative period (≤ 30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
Standard valve vs anti‐syphon valve
Mortality Beyond the early postoperative period (> 30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 229 participantsLow
Standard valve vs anti‐syphon valve
Quality of life · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Treatment failure: morbidity associated with shunt placement that led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 174 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Adverse events: morbidity related to the shunt placement that has not led to shunt revision · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Mortality In the early postoperative period (≤ 30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 174 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Mortality Beyond the early postoperative period (> 30 days) · participants with hydrocephalus
Ventriculo‐peritoneal shunting devices for hydrocephalus (2020) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 90 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Proportion of participants who experienced operative or postoperative serious adverse events · patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.33 [0.36, 30.44]3 studies · 238 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Proportion of participants who experienced improvement of composite functional endpoint over 12 months · patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.84 [0.55, 1.3]1 study · 110 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Proportion of participants who experienced new relapses over 12 months · patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in… (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.87 [0.51, 1.49]3 studies · 235 participantsModerate
Exercise vs control (post‐intervention)
Falls rate Falls were measured using prospective daily diaries, prospective monthly calendars or retrospectively. Falls rate calculation= number of falls/number in group * (number of days/365) The timing of measurement was post‐intervention for al... · people with multiple sclerosis (including people with relapsing‐remitting, secondary progressive or primary…
Interventions for preventing falls in people with multiple sclerosis (2019) · Cochrane
Rate ratio 0.68 [0.43, 1.06]5 studies · 399 participantsVery low
Exercise vs control (post‐intervention)
Number of fallers Falls were measured using prospective daily diaries, prospective monthly calendars or retrospectively The timing of measurement was post‐intervention for all studies · people with multiple sclerosis (including people with relapsing‐remitting, secondary progressive or primary…
Interventions for preventing falls in people with multiple sclerosis (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.51, 1.43]5 studies · 355 participantsLow
Exercise vs control (post‐intervention)
Adverse events The timing of measurement was post‐intervention for all studies · people with multiple sclerosis (including people with relapsing‐remitting, secondary progressive or primary…
Interventions for preventing falls in people with multiple sclerosis (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.25 [0.26, 6.03]3 studies · 97 participantsLow