Annals of Internal Medicine最新文献

Assessing risk of bias and applicability is essential in diagnostic test accuracy reviews to produce reliable and relevant evidence that can guide clinical and policy decisions. To support this process, the authors have developed QUADAS-3, the latest version of the QUADAS tool, which is designed to assess the methodological strength and relevance of diagnostic test accuracy studies included in systematic reviews.

This article explains how to use the QUADAS-3 tool. The article guides the reviewer through the initial stages of defining the questions and conceptualizing the ideal test accuracy trial, how the domains and signaling questions should be interpreted and assessed, and how judgments of risk of bias and concerns regarding applicability should be made. Authors of systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies should use this article as a guide for applying the QUADAS-3 tool.

Description: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) updated the 2019 joint clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the primary care management of asthma. This synopsis provides primary care providers with a summary of the updated 2025 recommendations regarding evaluation and management of veterans and military members with asthma.

Methods: In 2024, the VA/DOD convened a guideline work group (WG), including clinical stakeholders, to update the joint VA/DOD guideline and conformed to the National Academy of Medicine's tenets for trustworthy CPGs. The WG drafted 12 key questions, reviewed systematically identified literature (20 July 2018 through 15 May 2024), evaluated the evidence, created algorithms, and advanced 21 evidence-based recommendations in accordance with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system.

Recommendations: The WG strongly recommended inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and streamlined management of asthma by suggesting a combination of ICS and rapid-onset long-acting β-agonist as both reliever and controller agents and step-up therapy by increasing ICS and/or adding long-acting anticholinergic agents. The WG also supported the management of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity for better control of asthma. The WG suggested against the use of indoor air filtration devices. Finally, the WG outlined decision points for referral to a subspecialist.

Assessing risk of bias and applicability is critical in diagnostic test accuracy reviews to ensure valid, relevant findings that can inform decision making and policy. This article introduces QUADAS-3, an updated version of the widely used QUADAS-2 tool that was developed in response to the latest evidence, feedback from users of QUADAS-2, and comprehensive piloting.

The QUADAS-3 tool comprises 6 phases: 1) define the systematic review synthesis question, 2) define the ideal test accuracy trial for each synthesis question, 3) draw a flow diagram, 4) identify estimates of accuracy for assessment, 5) assess risk of bias and applicability, and 6) make an overall judgment. Risk of bias is assessed across 4 domains: Participants, Index Test, Target Condition, and Analysis. The first 3 domains are also assessed in terms of concerns regarding applicability to the synthesis question. Signaling questions are included to help judge risk of bias. The QUADAS-3 tool incorporates several changes compared with the previous version (QUADAS-2) which will ideally improve its validity, usability, and usefulness. Key changes from QUADAS-2 include introduction of the concept of an ideal test accuracy trial, assessment at the estimate level rather than the study level, replacement of the "Flow and Timing" domain with a new "Analysis" domain, introduction of sections on the rationale for judgments, and formal introduction of overall judgment of risk of bias and concerns regarding applicability. Some changes to domains and signaling questions have also been made.