Epistemonikos: a comprehensive database of systematic reviews for health decision-making.

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews allow health decisions to be informed by the best available research evidence. However, their number is proliferating quickly, and many skills are required to identify all the relevant reviews for a specific question. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We screen 10 bibliographic databases on a daily or weekly basis, to identify systematic reviews relevant for health decision-making. Using a machine-based approach developed for this project we select reviews, which are then validated by a network of more than 1000 collaborators. After screening over 1,400,000 records we have identified more than 300,000 systematic reviews, which are now stored in a single place and accessible through an easy-to-use search engine. This makes Epistemonikos the largest database of its kind. CONCLUSIONS: Using a systematic approach, recruiting a broad network of collaborators and implementing automated methods, we developed a one-stop shop for systematic reviews relevant for health decision making.

Erradicación de Helicobacter pylori para la trombocitopenia inmune: protocolo de una revisión sistemática / Eradication of Helicobacter pylori for immune thrombocytopenia: protocol of a systematic review

Introducción: La trombocitopenia inmune es una enfermedad caracterizada por destrucción plaquetaria mediada por anticuerpos. Se ha planteado que Helicobacter pylori podría actuar como gatillante y modulador de dicha enfermedad, por lo que el objetivo de esta revisión es evaluar si la erradicación de este agente podría constituir un tratamiento efectivo para la trombocitopenia inmune. Métodos: El protocolo fue diseñado, y será reportado, en línea con Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). Se realizará una búsqueda de estudios controlados aleatorizados, que incluyan pacientes con trombocitopenia inmune y que hayan recibido terapia de erradicación para Helicobacter pylori. Los desenlaces a evaluar serán el sangrado, la mortalidad, la necesidad de esplenectomía, el incremento en el recuento plaquetario, entre otros. Realizaremos búsquedas sensibles en MEDLINE, CENTRAL y EMBASE, sin restricción por lenguaje o publicación, las cuales serán complementadas con búsquedas en otras fuentes. Al menos dos investigadores realizarán de manera independiente la selección de los estudios y la extracción de los datos. Se evaluará el riesgo de sesgo utilizando la herramienta recomendada por la colaboración Cochrane. Se realizará metanálisis y se presentarán los datos mediante el método GRADE. Fortalezas y debilidades: Esta revisión sistemática entregará una síntesis rigurosa y actualizada de los efectos de la erradicación de Helicobacter pylori en la trombocitopenia inmune. La principal limitación podría provenir de la baja revisión sistemática (PROSPERO): CRD42015022161.(AU)

Background: Immune Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by antibody-mediated platelet destruction. Helicobacter pylori has been postulated as a potential trigger or modulator in this disease, so Helicobacter pylori eradication has been proposed as a reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). We will conduct a search of randomized controlled trials, including patients with immune thrombocytopenia that received eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori. The evaluated outcomes will be bleeding, mortality, need of splenectomy, platelet count, among others. We will develop sensitive search strategies for MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL, with no language or publication restriction. We will complement electronic searches with other sources. At least two reviewers will independently select trials and extract data. We will use Cochrane tool for risk of bias assessment to assess included studies. We will conduct meta-analysis and data will be presented using the GRADE approach. Strengths and limitations: This systematic review will provide a rigorous and updated summary of the effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on immune thrombocytopenia. The main limitation might arise from the low quantity or quality of trials identified for this topic. Systematic review register number (PROSPERO): CRD42015022161(AU)