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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
Summary of findings: respiratory muscle training vs sham training or no training
Maximal inspiratory pressure (cmH2O) Postintervention for insp. training at 10 weeks, for exp. training after 2‐3 months · people with multiple sclerosis
Respiratory muscle training for multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 56 participantsLow
Summary of findings: respiratory muscle training vs sham training or no training
Maximal expiratory pressure (cmH2O) Postintervention for insp. training at 10 weeks, for exp. training after 2‐3 months · people with multiple sclerosis
Respiratory muscle training for multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 56 participantsLow
Summary of findings: respiratory muscle training vs sham training or no training
Predicted maximal inspiratory pressure (%) Postintervention after 10 weeks · people with multiple sclerosis
Respiratory muscle training for multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 56 participantsLow
Summary of findings: respiratory muscle training vs sham training or no training
Predicted maximal expiratory pressure (%) Postintervention after 10 weeks · people with multiple sclerosis
Respiratory muscle training for multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 56 participantsLow
Summary of findings: respiratory muscle training vs sham training or no training
Quality of Life (EQ‐5D VAS, score · people with multiple sclerosis
Respiratory muscle training for multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 48 participantsLow
Summary of findings: respiratory muscle training vs sham training or no training
Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, score · people with multiple sclerosis
Respiratory muscle training for multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 56 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants experiencing at least one relapse · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.6 [0.52, 0.7]3 studies · 1414 participantsModerate
Alemtuzumab 24 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants with at least one adverse event · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.96, 1.08]2 studies · 578 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 24 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants with serious adverse events · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.7, 1.31]2 studies · 578 participantsModerate
Alemtuzumab 24 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score change from baseline · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 221 participantsVery low
Alemtuzumab 24 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants experiencing treatment discontinuation caused by adverse events · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.34 [0.1, 1.16]2 studies · 593 participantsVery low
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants whose disability worsened · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.6 [0.45, 0.79]3 studies · 1414 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants with at least one adverse event · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.98, 1.08]3 studies · 1415 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants with serious adverse events · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.82, 1.29]3 studies · 1415 participantsModerate
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score change from baseline · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1414 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants with new T2‐hyperintense lesions on magnetic resonance imaging · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.75 [0.61, 0.93]2 studies · 1125 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 12 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants experiencing treatment discontinuation caused by adverse events · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.33 [0.19, 0.56]3 studies · 1414 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 24 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants experiencing at least one relapse · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.38 [0.23, 0.62]1 study · 221 participantsLow
Alemtuzumab 24 mg vs interferon beta 1a
Number of participants whose disability worsened · patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
alemtuzumab versus interferon beta 1a for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.42 [0.21, 0.84]1 study · 221 participantsLow
Intravenous immunoglobulin with or without standard care vs standard care alone or placebo
Significant disability assessed using Liverpool Outcome Score RR (M‐H, random‐effects analysis, 95% CI) · children with acute encephalitis
Intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of childhood encephalitis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.75 [0.22, 2.6]1 study · 22 participantsVery low
Intravenous immunoglobulin with or without standard care vs standard care alone or placebo
≥ 1 serious adverse event RR (M‐H, random‐effects analysis, 95% CI) · children with acute encephalitis
Intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of childhood encephalitis (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.07, 14.05]1 study · 22 participantsVery low
Intravenous immunoglobulin with or without standard care vs standard care alone or placebo
Length of hospital stay (MD, random‐effects analysis, 95% CI) · children with acute encephalitis
Intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of childhood encephalitis (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 116 participantsVery low
Are disease‐modifying drugs for a first attack suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) effective and safe vs placebo?
Disability‐worsening Proportion of participants with disability‐worsening, assessed by EDSS** during 24 months of treatment Participants: N = 927 (2 RCTs)
Treatment with disease‐modifying drugs for people with a first clinical attack suggestive of multiple… (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.74 [0.49, 1.14]NRVery low
Are disease‐modifying drugs for a first attack suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) effective and safe vs placebo?
Relapse Proportion of participants with relapse during 24 months of treatment Participants: N = 618 (1 RCT)
Treatment with disease‐modifying drugs for people with a first clinical attack suggestive of multiple… (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.65 [0.38, 1.12]NRVery low
Are disease‐modifying drugs for a first attack suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) effective and safe vs placebo?
Occurrence of at least one serious adverse event Proportion of participants with at least one serious adverse event during 24 months of treatment Participants: N = 3385 (7 RCTs)
Treatment with disease‐modifying drugs for people with a first clinical attack suggestive of multiple… (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.78 [0.6, 1.03]NRLow
Are disease‐modifying drugs for a first attack suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) effective and safe vs placebo?
Withdrawls or drug discontinuation due to adverse events during 24 months of treatment Participants: N = 2693 (5 RCTs)
Treatment with disease‐modifying drugs for people with a first clinical attack suggestive of multiple… (2017) · Cochrane
OR 2.43 [0.91, 6.49]NRVery low
Intervention NR
Disability‐worsening Proportion of participants with disability‐worsening at a maximum of five years'
Treatment with disease‐modifying drugs for people with a first clinical attack suggestive of multiple… (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.88 [0.5, 1.57]NRVery low
Intervention NR
Relapse Proportion of participants with relapse at a maximum of five years'
Treatment with disease‐modifying drugs for people with a first clinical attack suggestive of multiple… (2017) · Cochrane
OR 0.35 [0.26, 0.48]NRLow
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Number of participants with relapse Risk ratio (M‐H, random, 95% CI) · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.04 [0.87, 1.24]3 studies · 2184 participantsModerate
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Number of participants with confirmed progression Risk ratio (M‐H, random, 95% CI) · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.11 [0.91, 1.35]3 studies · 2169 participantsModerate
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Number of participants who dropped out for AEs Risk ratio (M‐H, random, 95% CI) · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.64, 1.4]4 studies · 2685 participantsLow
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Mean number of active T2 lesions Mean difference (IV, random, 95% CI) · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1790 participantsLow
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Mean number of new enhancing lesions Mean difference (IV, random, 95% CI) · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 1734 participantsModerate
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Mean change in total T2‐hyperintense lesion load Mean difference (IV, random, 95% CI) · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1608 participantsModerate
Interferons vs glatiramer acetate
Mean change in total T1‐hypointense lesion load · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Interferons‐beta versus glatiramer acetate for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1602 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs placebo
Outcomes at 24 months · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs interferon beta‐1a
Withdrawals due to adverse events · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.51 [0.81, 2.8]1 study · 860 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs interferon beta‐1a
Annualised relapse rate · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
Rate ratio 0.48 [0.34, 0.7]1 study · 860 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs interferon beta‐1a
Participants free from MRI gadolinium‐enhancing lesions · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.12 [1.05, 1.19]1 study · 728 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs placebo
Participants free from relapse · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.44 [1.28, 1.63]2 studies · 1556 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs placebo
Participants free from disability worsening · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.07 [1.02, 1.11]2 studies · 1556 participantsLow
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs placebo
Withdrawals due to adverse events · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.42 [0.89, 2.25]2 studies · 1556 participantsVery low
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs placebo
Annualised relapse rate · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
Rate ratio 0.5 [0.4, 0.62]2 studies · 1556 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs placebo
Participants free from MRI gadolinium‐enhancing lesions · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.36 [1.27, 1.45]2 studies · 1226 participantsLow
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs interferon beta‐1a
Outcomes at 12 months · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs interferon beta‐1a
Participants free from relapse · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.18 [1.09, 1.27]1 study · 860 participantsModerate
Fingolimod 0.5 mg vs interferon beta‐1a
Participants free from disability worsening · people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Fingolimod for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.99, 1.06]1 study · 860 participantsLow
Teriflunomide vs placebo
Proportion of participants with at least 1 relapse at 1 year · people with relapsing multiple sclerosis
Teriflunomide for multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.6 [0.48, 0.75]1 study · 761 participantsLow
Teriflunomide vs placebo
The proportion of participants with at least 1 relapse at 2 years · people with relapsing multiple sclerosis
Teriflunomide for multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.8 [0.69, 0.93]1 study · 722 participantsLow
Teriflunomide vs placebo
The proportion of participants with disability progression at 1 year · people with relapsing multiple sclerosis
Teriflunomide for multiple sclerosis (2016) · Cochrane
RR 0.55 [0.36, 0.84]1 study · 761 participantsVery low