Proposal of guidelines for the appraisal of SEMen QUAlity studies (SEMQUA).
OBJECTIVE
Is there a need for a specific guide addressing studies of seminal quality?


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed guidelines for the appraisal of SEMinal QUAlity studies (SEMQUA) reflect the need for improvement in methodology and research on semen quality.


BACKGROUND
From an examination of other instruments used to assess the quality of diagnostic studies, there was no guideline on studies of seminal quality.


METHODS
Through systematic bibliographic search, potential items were identified and grouped into four blocks: participants, analytical methods, statistical methods and results.


METHODS
Our findings were presented to a panel of experts who were asked to identify opportunities for improvement. Then, a checklist was designed containing the questions generated by the items that summarize the essential points that need to be considered for the successful outcome of a SEMQUA.


RESULTS
Eighteen items were identified, from which 19 questions, grouped into four blocks, were generated to constitute the final checklist. An explanation for the inclusion of each item was provided and some examples found in the bibliographic search were cited.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider that not all items are equally applicable to all study designs, and so the hypothetical results are not comparable. For that reason, a score would not be fair to critically appraise a study. This checklist is presented as an instrument for appraising SEMQUAs and therefore remains open to constructive criticism. It will be further developed in the future, in parallel with the continuing evolution of SEMQUAs.


CONCLUSIONS
The final configuration of the SEMQUA is in the form of a checklist, and includes the items generally considered to be essential for the proper development of a SEMQUA. The final checklist produced has various areas of application; for example, it would be useful for designing and constructing a SEMQUA, for reviewing a paper on the question, for educational purposes or as an instrument for appraising the quality of research articles in this field.


BACKGROUND
None.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. mcristina.sanchez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
M C
MC
Sánchez-Pozo
J
J
Mendiola
M
M
Serrano
J
J
Mozas
L
L
Björndahl
R
R
Menkveld
S E M
SE
Lewis
D
D
Mortimer
N
N
Jørgensen
C L R
CL
Barratt
M F
MF
Fernández
J A
JA
Castilla
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends; D057189:Checklist; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D017712:Peer Review, Research / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000592:standards*; D012958:Societies, Scientific; D014837:Voluntary Health Agencies