TITLE

Title

1

Identify the report as a systematic review, meta-analysis, or both.

ABSTRACT

Structured summary

2

Provide a structured summary including, as applicable: background; objectives; data sources; study eligibility criteria, participants, and interventions; study appraisal and synthesis methods; results; limitations; conclusions and implications of key findings; systematic review registration number.

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

3

Describe the rationale for the review in the context of what is already known.

Objectives

4

Provide an explicit statement of questions being addressed with reference to participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS).

METHODS

Protocol and registration

5

Indicate if a review protocol exists, if and where it can be accessed (e.g., web address), and, if available, provide registration information, including registration number.

Eligibility criteria

6

Specify study characteristics (e.g., PICOS, length of follow-up) and report characteristics (e.g., years considered, language, publication status) used as criteria for eligibility, giving rationale.

Information sources

7

Describe all information sources (e.g., databases with dates of coverage, contact with study authors to identify additional studies) in the search and date last searched.

Search

8

Present full electronic search strategy for at least one database, including any limits used, such that it could be repeated.

Study selection

9

State the process for selecting studies (i.e., screening, eligibility, included in systematic reviews, and, if applicable, included in the meta-analysis).

Data collection process

10

Describe method of data extraction from reports (e.g., piloted forms, independently, in duplicate) and any processes for obtaining and confirming data from investigators.