Comparative effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids for paediatric asthma: protocol for a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is the mainstream maintenance therapy for paediatric asthma. Several forms of ICS are available, but the relative effectiveness among ICS has not been well investigated in published, randomised, controlled trials. The paucity of direct comparisons between ICS may have resulted in insufficient estimation in former systematic reviews/meta-analyses. To supplement the information on the comparative effectiveness of ICS for paediatric asthma, we plan to conduct a network meta-analysis that will enable summary of direct and indirect evidence.


METHODS
We will retrieve randomised, controlled trials that examined the effectiveness of ICS for paediatric asthma from the PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. After one author scans the title and abstract for eligible studies, two authors will independently review study data and assess the quality of the study. Studies of children (≤18 years old) with chronic asthma or recurrent wheezing episodes will be included if they used ICS for ≥4 weeks. We will define a priori core outcomes and supplemental outcomes of paediatric asthma, including exacerbation, healthcare use and pulmonary function. Studies reporting a minimum of one core outcome will be entered into the systematic review. After the systematic review is performed, extracted data of relevant studies will be synthesised in the Bayesian framework using a random-effects model.


BACKGROUND
The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
UMIN (000016724) and PROSPERO (CRD42015025889).
Department of Pediatrics, Kikkoman General Hospital, Noda, Chiba, Japan.
Masato
M
Takeuchi
Department of Pediatrics, Teikyo University School of Medicine University Hospital-Mizonokuchi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.
Hirotsugu
H
Kano
Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan.
Kenzo
K
Takahashi
Faculty of Child Studies, Department of Education for Childcare, Tokyo Kasei University, Sayama, Saitama, Japan.
Tsutomu
T
Iwata
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000187:drug effects*; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents