Major clinical guidelines ‘relying on weak evidence’
And the review might even underestimate the extent, say Aussie researchers
Key Australian clinical practice guidelines are based on “very weak” evidence and some include no recommendations backed by top-quality research, a study suggests.
The review of the scientific basis of 10 major clinical guidelines (see table below) used in Australia has found only 18% of the 748 recommendations they made were based on the highest level of evidence — defined by the NHMRC as a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
And only 25% of the recommendations were based on “moderate” evidence, defined as evidence based on a single randomised controlled trial or prospective cohort study.
Some 29% were based on “low” evidence and 9% had the weakest forms of evidence, such as case series or cross-sectional studies.
