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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
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off antibiotic regimen
Serious adverse events · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.83 [0.37, 1.86]NRModerate
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off antibiotic regimen
Antibiotic resistance · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
OR 1 [0.68, 1.48]NRModerate
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off antibiotic regimen
Frequency of hospital admissions for pulmonary exacerbations ‐ not measured · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 14 days on/off placebo regimen
Exacerbation frequency · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off antibiotic regimen
Health‐related quality of life · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRHigh
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off antibiotic regimen
Health‐related quality of life · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRHigh
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 14 days on/off placebo regimen
Serious adverse events · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.92 [0.63, 1.33]NRHigh
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 14 days on/off placebo regimen
Antibiotic resistance · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
OR 2.14 [1.36, 3.35]NRHigh
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 14 days on/off placebo regimen
Frequency of hospital admissions for pulmonary exacerbations ‐ not measured · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 14 days on/off placebo regimen
Health‐related quality of life · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRHigh
14 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 14 days on/off placebo regimen
Health‐related quality of life · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate
28 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off placebo regimen
Exacerbation frequency · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
RR 0.92 [0.82, 1.02]NRHigh
28 days on/off antibiotic regimen vs 28 days on/off placebo regimen
Exacerbation frequency · people with bronchiectasis
Intermittent prophylactic antibiotics for bronchiectasis (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRLow
Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo
Number of participants with no exacerbations during the study period · adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic… (2022) · Cochrane
OR 1.48 [1.15, 1.9]15 studies · 2961 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo
Mortality (all‐cause) · adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic… (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.64 [0.37, 1.1]5 studies · 1558 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo
Mortality (respiratory‐related) · adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic… (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.4 [0.15, 1.07]2 studies · 735 participantsLow
Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo
Quality of life · adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic… (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 617 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo
Number of participants requiring antibiotics · adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic… (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.34 [0.18, 0.63]5 studies · 542 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo
Adverse events/side effects · adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic… (2022) · Cochrane
OR 1.01 [0.84, 1.21]20 studies · 3780 participantsHigh
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Exercise performance: peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) on cycle ergometer incremental CPET · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 129 participantsVery low
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Exercise performance: % predicted VO2 max on incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 60 participantsLow
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Exercise performance: incremental shuttle walk test distance, metres · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Exercise performance: 6‐minute walk test distance, metres · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 529 participantsModerate
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Asthma control: ACQ score · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 93 participantsLow
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Asthma control: ACT score · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 442 participantsVery low
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Quality of life: AQLQ total score · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 442 participantsVery low
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Quality of life: SGRQ total score · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 440 participantsModerate
Pulmonary rehabilitation vs usual care
Adverse events · Adults with asthma
Pulmonary rehabilitation versus usual care for adults with asthma (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people with hospital admissions (from the emergency room) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.45 [0.23, 0.88]3 studies · 170 participantsLow
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people requiring ventilatory support (NIV or assisted ventilation) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.33 [0.01, 8.2]1 study · 172 participantsVery low
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people with serious adverse events · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Length of hospital stay · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Change in oxygen saturation (SaO2) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Change in dyspnoea score · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 20 participantsVery low
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Lung function: FEV1 at 60 min · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 109 participantsVery low
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Proportion of people with hospital admissions (from the emergency room) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 1.62 [0.78, 3.37]1 study · 124 participantsVery low
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Proportion of people requiring endotracheal intubation · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 1.69 [0.61, 4.71]1 study · 124 participantsVery low
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Proportion of people with serious adverse events · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Length of hospital stay · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 124 participantsVery low
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people requiring non‐invasive ventilation · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.74 [0.31, 1.75]2 studies · 107 participantsVery low
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Change in oxygen saturation (SaO2) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Change in dyspnoea score · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Magnesium sulfate vs standard care (ipratropium bromide)
Lung function: FEV1 at 60 min · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people with serious adverse events · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 77 participantsUngraded
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Length of hospital stay · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 54 participantsLow
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Change in oxygen saturation (SpO2) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 77 participantsVery low
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Change in dyspnoea score · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 101 participantsLow
Intravenous magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Lung function: FEV1 change from baseline at 60 min · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 30 participantsLow
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people with hospital admissions (from the emergency room) · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.77 [0.21, 2.82]1 study · 109 participantsVery low
Nebulised magnesium sulfate + standard care vs placebo + standard care
Proportion of people requiring ICU admission · acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Magnesium sulfate for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2022) · Cochrane
OR 0.39 [0.15, 1]2 studies · 281 participantsVery low