Twelve recommendations for integrating existing systematic reviews into new reviews: EPC guidance.
OBJECTIVE
As time and cost constraints in the conduct of systematic reviews increase, the need to consider the use of existing systematic reviews also increases. We developed guidance on the integration of systematic reviews into new reviews.


METHODS
A workgroup of methodologists from Evidence-based Practice Centers developed consensus-based recommendations. Discussions were informed by a literature scan and by interviews with organizations that conduct systematic reviews.


RESULTS
Twelve recommendations were developed addressing selecting reviews, assessing risk of bias, qualitative and quantitative synthesis, and summarizing and assessing body of evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
We provide preliminary guidance for an efficient and unbiased approach to integrating existing systematic reviews with primary studies in a new review.
Johns Hopkins University, 1830 E. Monument St, Suite 8068, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: krobin@jhmi.edu.
Karen A
KA
Robinson
Oregon Health & Science University, Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Mail code: BICC, 3181 SW, Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Roger
R
Chou
Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7590 725, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Nancy D
ND
Berkman
Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center, RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407, USA.
Sydne J
SJ
Newberry
Portland VA Research Foundation, 3710 SW, US Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D71, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Rongwei
R
Fu
Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence, Room 4-496A, $th Floor, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 1C9.
Lisa
L
Hartling
Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence, Room 4-496A, $th Floor, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 1C9.
Donna
D
Dryden
School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, D351 Mayo (MMC 197), 420 Delaware Street, SE Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Mary
M
Butler
Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence, Room 4-496A, $th Floor, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 1C9.
Michelle
M
Foisy
Portland VA Research Foundation, 3710 SW, US Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D71, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Johanna
J
Anderson
Portland VA Research Foundation, 3710 SW, US Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D71, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Makalapua
M
Motu'apuaka
Portland VA Research Foundation, 3710 SW, US Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D71, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Rose
R
Relevo
Portland VA Research Foundation, 3710 SW, US Veterans Hospital Road, Mail Code: R&D71, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Jeanne-Marie
JM
Guise
Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
Stephanie
S
Chang
D015982:Bias; D032921:Consensus; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
Methods guidance; Systematic reviews