title: Application of the systematic review and bibliometric network analysis (SeBriNA) methodology contextualizes evidence. Part 2: rituximab for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a systematic review and bibliometric network analysis (SeBriNA) of rituximab for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched three primary data sources (1997-2003) for five document types: original research, reviews, guidelines, editorials, and media reports. We conducted cumulative meta-analysis on three outcomes (mortality, tumor response, safety) and used GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) to classify evidence quality. Direct citation relationships between original research documents and other documents were analyzed and visually represented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 6,798 documents, 757 met inclusion criteria. The 317 original research documents represented 209 study clusters and 8,483 evaluated patients. Of 209 study clusters, 2.9% were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and reported data on outcomes of interest. The quality of evidence was moderate. We identified 1,571 direct citations to the 317 original research documents. The first RCT reporting relevant outcomes appeared in 2000, whereas the first guidelines appeared in 1999. Of 212 media reports, 92% cited no original research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of 757 rituximab documents, RCTs of comparisons and outcomes represented <3% of original research. In contrast, review articles, guidelines, editorials, and media reports each outnumbered the relevant original research. The SeBriNA review facilitated the analysis, contextualization, and interpretation of these complex relationships.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. michelle.kho@jhmi.edu
authors: Michelle E
authors: ME
authors: Kho
authors: Melissa C
authors: MC
authors: Brouwers
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017594:Publication Bias; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab