In often happens when conducting a systematic review a lot of time passes from the initial search to the point where the final paper is ready for publications.
My question is: When should you perform an updated search?
Dear Michael
- It should depend on the number of studies that have already been included in the review and the consistency of the results in these studies - in other words, is it likely that the conclusion would change if more studies enters the review?
- When scoring the validity of a review with the AMSTAR tool, a review is given a lower overall score if the seach has been conducted more than two years ago since the review was completed ( https://amstar.ca/docs/AMSTAR-2.pdf).
- It also depends on the choice of journal.
I hope this aided you.
Dear Michael
Garner et al. has published a very nice paper in BMJ in 2016 addressing the question on when to update a systematic review stating four questions to ask
1. Does the review still address a current question ?
2. Are there any new relevant methods developed ?
3. Have there been published any new relevant studies, or new information ?
4. Will new methods or new studies change findings or credibility ?
Garner P, Hopewell S, Chandler J, MacLehose H, Schünemann HJ, Akl EA, Beyene J, Chang S, Churchill R, Dearness K, Guyatt G, Lefebvre C, Liles B, Marshall R, Martínez García L, Mavergames C, Nasser M, Qaseem A, Sampson M, Soares-Weiser K, Takwoingi Y, Thabane L, Trivella M, Tugwell P, Welsh E, Wilson EC, Schünemann HJ; Panel for updating guidance for systematic reviews (PUGs). When and how to update systematic reviews: consensus and checklist. BMJ. 2016 Jul 20;354:i3507.
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