Mechanical ventilation core outcome set uptake in Cochrane systematic reviews: A cross-sectional study

Introduction

The Cochrane Handbook acknowledges core outcome sets' (COS) relevance in defining review questions and planning systematic reviews. We aimed to assess the uptake of the mechanical ventilation (MV) COS in Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions.

Methods

A cross-sectional study. We included Cochrane systematic reviews and protocols of Cochrane systematic reviews of any intervention related to mechanically ventilated patients through a search in the Cochrane database of systematic reviews. We did not apply restrictions based on age or setting. One reviewer assessed the studies for eligibility and extracted data. Both processes were validated by a second author.

Results

We identified 233 reviews and protocols through our search strategy. We finally included 36 records. Thirty-four (94.44%) were Cochrane reviews and two (5.56%) were protocols. The included Cochrane reviews and protocols assessed a median of 13 (interquartile range [IQR]: 9–17) outcomes, with 35 (97.22%) reviews reporting at least one outcome from the MV COS. The median number of outcomes from the MV COS reported in the Cochrane reviews and protocols was 2.5 (IQR: 2–3). Only one (2.78%) study reported all the outcomes from the MV COS. None of the included Cochrane reviews and protocols cited the MV COS publication.

Conclusion

Completed Cochrane systematic reviews and protocols of Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions related to mechanically ventilated patients have an overall limited uptake of the MV COS so far. Mortality and duration of stay were the most reported outcomes, while extubation and reintubation were the least informed. These findings may serve as a starting point for the Cochrane Critical Care community to develop dissemination strategies for improving the MV COS uptake.