The BIGG-REC database makes available all WHO/PAHO evidence informed recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: To build and maintain a living database of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommendations developed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Guidelines are identified from WHO and PAHO databases. We periodically extract recommendations, according to the health and well-being targets of sustainable development goal 3 (SDG-3). RESULTS: As of March 2022, the International database of GRADE guidelines (https://bigg-rec.bvsalud.org/en) database hosted 2,682 recommendations contained in 285 WHO/PAHO guidelines. Recommendations were classified as follows: communicable diseases (1,581), children's health (1,182), universal health (1,171), sexual and reproductive health (910), noncommunicable diseases (677), maternal health (654), COVID-19 (224), use of psychoactive substances (99), tobacco (14) and road and traffic accidents (16). International database of GRADE guidelines allows searching by SDG-3, condition or disease, type of intervention, institution, year of publication, and age. CONCLUSION: Recommendation maps provide an important resource for health professionals, organizations and member states that use evidence-informed guidance to make better decisions, providing a source for the adoption or adaptation of recommendations to meet their needs. This one-stop shop database of evidence-informed recommendations built with intuitive functionalities undoubtedly represents a long-needed tool for decision-makers, guideline developers, and the public at large.

Evidence map of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, prevention, and control in visceral leishmaniasis

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To develop an evidence map on visceral leishmaniasis prevention, control, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Methods. Systematic reviews on visceral leishmaniasis were searched using MEDLINE/PubMed and Virtual Health Library. After selection, each included systematic review was assessed, characterized, and catego- rized by intervention type and by outcomes, according to the methodology offered by the PAHO/WHO Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME). The methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR2 tool to determine the confidence level of the evidence obtained. Results. Among the prevention and control interventions, insecticide spraying, bednets, dog collars, and dog culling were the most assessed, emphasizing that insecticidal dog collars can reduce visceral leishmaniasis incidence in dogs. Regarding diagnosis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), rK39 immunochromatographic test (rK39 ICT), and direct agglutination test (DAT) presented high sensitivity and specificity. As for treatment, pentavalent antimonials and amphotericin B were the most analyzed drugs and showed therapeutic success; however, serious adverse events can occur due to their use. The prognostic factors identified were anemia, edema, bleeding, jaundice, age, and HIV coinfection. Conclusions. The evidence map developed shows rK39 ICT and DAT as promising diagnostic alternatives and reinforces the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B and pentavalent antimonials. Insecticide-impreg- nated dog collars appear as a promising measure for the control of visceral leishmaniasis, but there is also a need for future studies and reviews with higher methodological quality, especially on prevention and control interventions.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Elaborar un mapa de evidencia sobre la prevención, el control, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y el pronóstico de la leishmaniasis visceral. Métodos. Se realizaron búsquedas de revisiones sistemáticas sobre la leishmaniasis visceral en MEDLINE/ PubMed y la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud. Tras la selección, cada revisión sistemática incluida fue sometida a evaluación, caracterización y categorización según tipo de intervención y resultados, de acuerdo con la metodología ofrecida por el Centro Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Información en Ciencias de la Salud de la OPS/OMS (BIREME). La calidad metodológica se evaluó con la herramienta AMSTAR2 para determinar el nivel de confianza de la información obtenida. Resultados. Entre las intervenciones de prevención y control, las más evaluadas fueron la fumigación con insecticidas, los mosquiteros, los collares para perros y el sacrificio de perros y se hizo hincapié en que los collares insecticidas para perros pueden reducir la incidencia de leishmaniasis visceral en perros. En cuanto al diagnóstico, la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR, por su sigla en inglés), la prueba inmunocro- matográfica rK39 (rK39 ICT) y la prueba de aglutinación directa (DAT, por su sigla en inglés) mostraron alta sensibilidad y especificidad. Con respecto al tratamiento, los fármacos más analizados que arrojaron éxito terapéutico fueron los antimoniales pentavalentes y la anfotericina B; sin embargo, su uso puede provocar efectos adversos graves. Los factores pronósticos que se identificaron fueron anemia, edema, sangrado, ictericia, edad y coinfección por el VIH. Conclusiones. El mapa de evidencia elaborado presenta la prueba inmunocromatográfica rK39 y la prueba de aglutinación directa como alternativas diagnósticas prometedoras, y consolida la eficacia de la anfoteri- cina B liposomal y los antimoniales pentavalentes. Los collares de perro impregnados de insecticida parecen ser una medida prometedora para el control de la leishmaniasis visceral, si bien también son necesarios estudios y revisiones adicionales de mayor calidad metodológica, especialmente sobre intervenciones de prevención y control.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Desenvolver um mapa de evidências de prevenção, controle, diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico da leishmaniose visceral. Métodos. Foram realizadas buscas por revisões sistemáticas sobre leishmaniose visceral no MEDLINE/ PubMed e na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Após a seleção, cada revisão sistemática incluída foi avaliada, caracterizada e classificada por tipo de intervenção e por desfechos, de acordo com a metodologia oferecida pelo Centro Latino-Americano e do Caribe de Informação em Ciências da Saúde (BIREME) da OPAS/OMS. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada utilizando a ferramenta AMSTAR2 para determinar o nível de confiança das evidências obtidas. Resultados. Entre as intervenções de prevenção e controle, pulverização com inseticida, mosquiteiros, colei- ras para cães e abate de cães foram as mais frequentemente avaliadas, com destaque para as coleiras inseticidas na redução da incidência de leishmaniose visceral em cães. Quanto ao diagnóstico, a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), o teste imunocromatográfico rK39 (rK39 ICT) e o teste de aglutinação direta (DAT, sigla em inglês para direct agglutination test) apresentaram alta sensibilidade e especificidade. Em relação ao tratamento, os antimoniais pentavalentes e a anfotericina B foram os medicamentos mais analisa- dos e demonstraram sucesso terapêutico, embora seu uso possa resultar em eventos adversos graves. Os fatores prognósticos identificados foram anemia, edema, sangramento, icterícia, idade e coinfecção com HIV. Conclusões. O mapa de evidências desenvolvido mostra o rK39 ICT e o DAT como alternativas promisso- ras para o diagnóstico e reforça a eficácia da anfotericina B lipossomal e dos antimoniais pentavalentes. As coleiras impregnadas com inseticida aparecem como medida promissora para o controle da leishmaniose vis- ceral, mas estudos e revisões futuras com mais qualidade metodológica, especialmente sobre intervenções de prevenção e controle, são necessários.

Meditation: Evidence Map of Systematic Reviews.

Study Basis: This evidence map presents a summary of studies that addressed the effects of meditation on various clinical and health conditions. Meditation is a contemplative practice that has been used for the promotion of health, and the treatment of different conditions. Method: The study is based on the search of four electronic databases for the period 1994-November 2019 and includes systematic reviews, meta-analyses, meta-syntheses, and integrative reviews. 3iE evidence gap map was the methodology of choice, and AMSTAR 2 was used for the analyses. Tableau was used to graphically display the confidence level, number of reviews, health outcomes, and intervention effects. Results: This map encompasses 191 studies, with Mindfulness being the key word that retrieved the highest number of results. Several meditation techniques were evaluated in different contexts, and the confidence levels of 22 studies were high, 84 were moderate, and 82 were low. Two 2 meta-syntheses and 1 integrative review were also included. Most of the studies reported positive effects and a beneficial potential of the practice of meditation. Health outcomes were divided into five groups out of which mental health and vitality, and well-being and quality of life stood out with the largest number of studies. Conclusions: Meditation has been applied in different areas. This Evidence Map intends to be an easy visual tool to access valuable evidence-based information on this complementary therapy for patients, health professionals, and managers.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical procedures: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: To map the current evidence on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) administration and identify knowledge gaps in the literature available in this field. METHODS: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and Health Systems Evidence databases were searched from January 2015 to March 2020 for systematic reviews published in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. RESULTS: Eighty-three systematic reviews were included, the quality of the reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and data were extracted for all primary outcomes. Perioperative antibiotic administration, the use of first generation cephalosporins, and surgical site infection (SSI) were the most commonly reported for timing of antibiotic administration, drug class, and primary outcome, respectively. Findings showed that, overall, SAP may reduce SSIs compared with a placebo or with no SAP. Results suggested that intraoperative SAP may lower SSI, while postoperative SAP did not show a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have confirmed the role of SAP in reducing postoperative SSI across various surgeries and do not support the use of antibiotics after surgery to prevent infections. The findings of this scoping review have enhanced the evidence base that can inform decisions regarding the development of global guidelines for the prevention of SSI. However, high-quality systematic reviews and research reflecting diverse populations and settings are needed.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical procedures: a scoping review

[ABSTRACT]. Objectives. To map the current evidence on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) administration and identify knowledge gaps in the literature available in this field. Methods. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and Health Systems Evidence databases were searched from January 2015 to March 2020 for systematic reviews published in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Results. Eighty-three systematic reviews were included, the quality of the reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and data were extracted for all primary outcomes. Perioperative antibiotic administration, the use of first generation cephalosporins, and surgical site infection (SSI) were the most commonly reported for timing of antibiotic administration, drug class, and primary outcome, respectively. Findings showed that, overall, SAP may reduce SSIs compared with a placebo or with no SAP. Results suggested that intraoperative SAP may lower SSI, while postoperative SAP did not show a statistically significant difference. Conclusions. Findings have confirmed the role of SAP in reducing postoperative SSI across various surgeries and do not support the use of antibiotics after surgery to prevent infections. The findings of this scoping review have enhanced the evidence base that can inform decisions regarding the development of global guidelines for the prevention of SSI. However, high-quality systematic reviews and research reflecting diverse populations and settings are needed.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivos. Trazar un mapa de la evidencia actual sobre la administración de profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica e identificar lagunas de conocimiento en la bibliografía disponible en este campo. Métodos. Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos y Health Systems Evidence desde enero del 2015 hasta marzo del 2020 para obtener revisiones sistemáticas publicadas en inglés, francés, portugués y español. Resultados. Se incluyeron ochenta y tres revisiones sistemáticas, se evaluó la calidad de las revisiones con AMSTAR 2 y se extrajeron los datos de todos los resultados primarios. Se notificó con mayor frecuencia la administración de antibióticos perioperatorios, el uso de cefalosporinas de primera generación y la infección de sitio quirúrgico en relación con los tiempos de administración de los antibióticos, el tipo de medicamento y el resultado principal, respectivamente. Los resultados demostraron que, en términos generales, la profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica puede reducir la infección de sitio quirúrgico en comparación con un placebo o la falta de profilaxis. Los resultados sugirieron que la profilaxis antibiótica transoperatoria puede reducir la infección de sitio quirúrgico, si bien la profilaxis antibiótica posoperatoria no mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Conclusiones. Los resultados confirman la función de la profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica en la reducción de la infección posoperatoria de sitio quirúrgico en diversas operaciones quirúrgicas y no avalan el uso de antibióticos después de la cirugía para prevenir infecciones. Los resultados de esta revisión exploratoria han contribuido a la base empírica que puede fundamentar decisiones relacionadas con la formulación de directrices mundiales para la prevención de infección de sitio quirúrgico. Sin embargo, se necesitan revisiones sistemáticas e investigación de calidad que representen poblaciones y entornos diversos.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Mapear as evidências atuais em administração de antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica e identificar as lacunas de conhecimento na literatura existente nesta área. Métodos. Foram realizadas buscas nos repositórios PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos e Health Systems Evidence de janeiro de 2015 a março de 2020, limitadas a revisões sistemáticas publicadas em espanhol, francês, inglês e português. Resultados. Oitenta e três revisões sistemáticas foram incluídas. A qualidade das revisões foi avaliada com o uso do instrumento AMSTAR 2. Foram extraídos dados para todos os desfechos primários. O período perioperatório foi o momento de aplicação da antibioticoprofilaxia mais comumente relatado; cefalosporinas de primeira geração, a classe terapêutica mais comumente utilizada; e infecção do sítio cirúrgico (ISC), o desfecho primário mais comumente descrito. Os achados desta revisão demonstram que, em geral, a antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica pode reduzir a ocorrência de ISC quando comparada ao placebo ou à não realização de antibioticoprofilaxia. Os resultados sugerem que a antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica transoperatória pode reduzir a ocorrência de ISC, embora a profilaxia pós-operatória não tenha demonstrado diferença estatisticamente significativa. Conclusões. Este estudo confirma o papel da antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica em reduzir ISC pós-operatória em diversos procedimentos cirúrgicos, mas não respalda o uso de antibióticos no pós-operatório para prevenir infecções. Os resultados desta revisão de escopo reforçam o corpo de evidências para subsidiar decisões ao se elaborar diretrizes globais para a prevenção de ISC. Porém, são necessárias revisões sistemáticas de alta qualidade e pesquisas em populações e cenários diversos.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical procedures: a scoping review / La profilaxis antibiótica para procedimientos quirúrgicos: una revisión exploratoria / Antibioticoprofilaxia para procedimentos cirúrgicos: uma revisão de escopo

ABSTRACT Objectives. To map the current evidence on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) administration and identify knowledge gaps in the literature available in this field. Methods. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, and Health Systems Evidence databases were searched from January 2015 to March 2020 for systematic reviews published in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Results. Eighty-three systematic reviews were included, the quality of the reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and data were extracted for all primary outcomes. Perioperative antibiotic administration, the use of first generation cephalosporins, and surgical site infection (SSI) were the most commonly reported for timing of antibiotic administration, drug class, and primary outcome, respectively. Findings showed that, overall, SAP may reduce SSIs compared with a placebo or with no SAP. Results suggested that intraoperative SAP may lower SSI, while postoperative SAP did not show a statistically significant difference. Conclusions. Findings have confirmed the role of SAP in reducing postoperative SSI across various surgeries and do not support the use of antibiotics after surgery to prevent infections. The findings of this scoping review have enhanced the evidence base that can inform decisions regarding the development of global guidelines for the prevention of SSI. However, high-quality systematic reviews and research reflecting diverse populations and settings are needed.

RESUMEN Objetivos. Trazar un mapa de la evidencia actual sobre la administración de profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica e identificar lagunas de conocimiento en la bibliografía disponible en este campo. Métodos. Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos y Health Systems Evidence desde enero del 2015 hasta marzo del 2020 para obtener revisiones sistemáticas publicadas en inglés, francés, portugués y español. Resultados. Se incluyeron ochenta y tres revisiones sistemáticas, se evaluó la calidad de las revisiones con AMSTAR 2 y se extrajeron los datos de todos los resultados primarios. Se notificó con mayor frecuencia la administración de antibióticos perioperatorios, el uso de cefalosporinas de primera generación y la infección de sitio quirúrgico en relación con los tiempos de administración de los antibióticos, el tipo de medicamento y el resultado principal, respectivamente. Los resultados demostraron que, en términos generales, la profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica puede reducir la infección de sitio quirúrgico en comparación con un placebo o la falta de profilaxis. Los resultados sugirieron que la profilaxis antibiótica transoperatoria puede reducir la infección de sitio quirúrgico, si bien la profilaxis antibiótica posoperatoria no mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Conclusiones. Los resultados confirman la función de la profilaxis antibiótica quirúrgica en la reducción de la infección posoperatoria de sitio quirúrgico en diversas operaciones quirúrgicas y no avalan el uso de antibióticos después de la cirugía para prevenir infecciones. Los resultados de esta revisión exploratoria han contribuido a la base empírica que puede fundamentar decisiones relacionadas con la formulación de directrices mundiales para la prevención de infección de sitio quirúrgico. Sin embargo, se necesitan revisiones sistemáticas e investigación de calidad que representen poblaciones y entornos diversos.

RESUMO Objetivo. Mapear as evidências atuais em administração de antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica e identificar as lacunas de conhecimento na literatura existente nesta área. Métodos. Foram realizadas buscas nos repositórios PubMed, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos e Health Systems Evidence de janeiro de 2015 a março de 2020, limitadas a revisões sistemáticas publicadas em espanhol, francês, inglês e português. Resultados. Oitenta e três revisões sistemáticas foram incluídas. A qualidade das revisões foi avaliada com o uso do instrumento AMSTAR 2. Foram extraídos dados para todos os desfechos primários. O período perioperatório foi o momento de aplicação da antibioticoprofilaxia mais comumente relatado; cefalosporinas de primeira geração, a classe terapêutica mais comumente utilizada; e infecção do sítio cirúrgico (ISC), o desfecho primário mais comumente descrito. Os achados desta revisão demonstram que, em geral, a antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica pode reduzir a ocorrência de ISC quando comparada ao placebo ou à não realização de antibioticoprofilaxia. Os resultados sugerem que a antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica transoperatória pode reduzir a ocorrência de ISC, embora a profilaxia pós-operatória não tenha demonstrado diferença estatisticamente significativa. Conclusões. Este estudo confirma o papel da antibioticoprofilaxia cirúrgica em reduzir ISC pós-operatória em diversos procedimentos cirúrgicos, mas não respalda o uso de antibióticos no pós-operatório para prevenir infecções. Os resultados desta revisão de escopo reforçam o corpo de evidências para subsidiar decisões ao se elaborar diretrizes globais para a prevenção de ISC. Porém, são necessárias revisões sistemáticas de alta qualidade e pesquisas em populações e cenários diversos.

Formative second opinion: qualifying health professionals for the unified health system through the Brazilian Telehealth Program.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization's World Health Assembly WHA58.28/2005 Resolution recommends the adoption of e-health by health systems of State Members. The Brazilian Telehealth Program integrates the national policy of education for health that combines many strategies with complementary foci, including technical-level workers, undergraduate students of the 14 health professions, residency, postgraduate courses, support, and continuing health education at work. The Brazilian Unified Health System has approximately 1.5 million workers. The objectives of this work areas are as follows: to define a new concept, the so-called "formative second opinion" (FSO); to describe the methodology for its construction; and to show its structure as well as the number of FSOs already available, classified according to the field of knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Brazilian Telehealth Program was created in 2007 and has already offered around 41,000 teleconsultations. Based on their relevance and pertinence, 710 questions asked through teleconsulting by health professionals were selected. The questions were handled so that each question should not contain any specific information about patients, preserving professional confidentiality. For each question, a bibliographic review was performed and used to build a structured and standardized answer, based on the best available scientific and clinical evidence. RESULTS: This question-and-answer combination, originated thru teleconsulting, created by the Brazilian Telehealth Program, was termed the FSO and has been made available, with open access for all health professionals, at the Web site of the Program. Among the total number of 710 FSOs, diagnosis and treatment support corresponded to 238 questions (33.5%), followed by primary healthcare (90 questions) and then by subjects concerning oral health (68 questions) and nursery (39 questions). The structure and design of the FSO are also shown. CONCLUSIONS: The FSO helps professionals and health workers to use the already produced best evidence and scientific knowledge to solve their daily practice questions, improving, qualifying, and increasing the resolution of primary healthcare by the Unified Health System in Brazil. Oral health is frequently asked about by professionals, matching the high prevalence of oral disease in primary healthcare.