title: How to read a nephrology systematic review.
abstract: A systematic review provides the best summary of evidence for clinical decision-making in nephrology by summarizing all the primary studies that evaluate a specific clinical question. By using rigorous and pre-specified methods, conclusions about the overall effect of an intervention can be more reliable, precise and comprehensive in a systematic review than those derived from individual studies. In this article, we describe the key components of a systematic review and meta-analysis. We summarize the features of a systematic review that should be looked for when considering the accuracy and validity of its results - particularly when applying the outcomes of a systematic review to a clinical question.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. suetoniapalmer@clear.net.nz
authors.forename: Suetonia C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Sankar D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Navaneethan
authors.forename: Giovanni F M
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Strippoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D032882:Comprehension; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006397:Hematinics / Q000009:adverse effects; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009398:Nephrology; D011932:Reading; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D006397:Hematinics