The medical review article: state of the science.

Fifty reviews published during June 1985 to June 1986 in four major medical journals were assessed in a study of the methods of current review articles. Assessments were based on eight explicit criteria adapted from published guidelines for information syntheses. Of the 50 articles, 17 satisfied three of the eight criteria; 32 satisfied four or five criteria; and 1 satisfied six criteria. Most reviews had clearly specified purposes (n = 40) and conclusions (n = 37). Only one had clearly specified methods of identifying, selecting, and validating included information. Qualitative synthesis was often used to integrate information included in the review (n = 43); quantitative synthesis was rarely used (n = 3). Future research directives were mentioned in 21. These results indicate that current medical reviews do not routinely use scientific methods to identify, assess, and synthesize information. The methods used in this systematic assessment of reviews are proposed to improve the quality of future review articles.

[1]  F. Rosner,et al.  Rarity of failure of penicillin prophylaxis to prevent postsplenectomy sepsis. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[2]  W. Chan,et al.  Lymphocytosis of large granular lymphocytes. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[3]  A. Gean,et al.  The spinal tap: a new look at an old test. , 1986, Annals of internal medicine.

[4]  P. Comp,et al.  The regulation of hemostasis: the protein C system. , 1986, The New England journal of medicine.

[5]  R G Morrison,et al.  Medical and public health aspects of boxing. , 1986, JAMA.

[6]  R. Spector,et al.  Expanded role of charcoal therapy in the poisoned and overdosed patient. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[7]  V. Fuster,et al.  Intracardiac thrombi and systemic embolization. , 1986, Annals of internal medicine.

[8]  J. Brewster.  Prevalence of alcohol and other drug problems among physicians. , 1986, JAMA.

[9]  L. Magder,et al.  Primary prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. A primer for clinicians. , 1986 .

[10]  Eric J. Eichhorn,et al.  Effects of lithium carbonate on human calcium metabolism. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[11]  M. Levin,et al.  Pregnancy and diabetes. Team approach. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[12]  G. Blackburn,et al.  The risks of surgery in obese patients. , 1986, Annals of internal medicine.

[13]  L. Corey,et al.  Infections with herpes simplex viruses (1). , 1986, The New England journal of medicine.

[14]  M. Houston.  Treatment of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies with oral clonidine loading and titration. A review. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[15]  H. Kwaan,et al.  Current concepts of warfarin therapy. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[16]  D. Graham,et al.  Aspirin and the stomach. , 1986, Annals of internal medicine.

[17]  R. Ross.  The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis--an update. , 1986, The New England journal of medicine.

[18]  E. Braunwald,et al.  New positive inotropic agents in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Mechanisms of action and recent clinical developments. 2. , 1986, The New England journal of medicine.

[19]  D. Sackett,et al.  Heroin vs morphine for cancer pain? , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[20]  W. Gaasch,et al.  When to intervene in chronic aortic regurgitation. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[21]  Morgan Pp.  Review articles: 2. The literature jungle , 1986 .

[22]  L. Goldberg,et al.  Pet-associated illness. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[23]  M. Houston.  Sodium and hypertension. A review. , 1986, Archives of internal medicine.

[24]  H. Abelson,et al.  Osteosarcoma: fifteen years later. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[25]  N. Goldschlager,et al.  Progress in cardiac pacing. Part II. , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[26]  E. Bass,et al.  Cardiopulmonary Arrest: Pathophysiology and Neurologic Complications , 1985 .

[27]  M. Schuckit.  Genetics and the risk for alcoholism. , 1985, JAMA.

[28]  N. Goldschlager,et al.  Progress in cardiac pacing. Part I. , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[29]  S. Lemon.  Type A viral hepatitis. New developments in an old disease. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[30]  W. Wu,et al.  Respiratory complications of gastroesophageal reflux. , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[31]  K. Miura,et al.  Autoantibodies against thyroid hormones or iodothyronine. Implications in diagnosis, thyroid function, treatment, and pathogenesis. , 1985, Annals of internal medicine.

[32]  M. Tobin.  Use of bronchodilator aerosols. , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[33]  J. Fielding.  Smoking: Health Effects and Control , 1985 .

[34]  H. Gharib,et al.  Nodular thyroid disease. Evaluation and management. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[35]  M. Horowitz,et al.  Disorders of gastric emptying in humans and the use of radionuclide techniques. , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[36]  M. Packer.  Vasodilator therapy for primary pulmonary hypertension. Limitations and hazards. , 1985, Annals of internal medicine.

[37]  K. Foley.  The treatment of cancer pain. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[38]  W. Rodney,et al.  The athletic heart syndrome. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[39]  K. Foon,et al.  Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Recent advances in biology and treatment. , 1985, Annals of internal medicine.

[40]  K. Hussey.  Vasopressin therapy for upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage. Has its efficacy been proven? , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[41]  B. Britigan,et al.  Gonococcal infection: a model of molecular pathogenesis. , 1985, The New England journal of medicine.

[42]  W. Burch.  Cushing's disease. A review. , 1985, Archives of internal medicine.

[43]  A. Schafer.  The hypercoagulable states. , 1985, Annals of internal medicine.