Table 2

Methodological aspects of recent major guidelines for hypertension

Guideline
Development group describeda
New systematic reviewing
Used existing systematic reviewsc
Literature searchb
Grading of evidenced
Grading of recommendationsd

CMA
P
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
WHO
P
N
Y
N
N
N
VHA
P
N
N
Y
Y
Y
SIGN
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
ESH
Y
N
Y
N
N
N
ICSI
N
N
y
N
Y
N
JNC
P
N
Y
N
Y
N
SA
P
N
y
N
N
N
BHS
P
N
Y
N
Y
Y
NICE
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y

a Y/N: Includes/does not include description of stakeholders involved in the development process, including patient representatives and any conflicts of interest.

P: Partially – a list of names with institutional affiliations was provided.

b Y/N: Searches were/were not undertaken, at least through Medline.

c Y: Made extensive use of existing systematic reviews (referenced 7 or more).

y: Made partial use of existing systematic reviews (referenced 6 or less).

N: Did not use existing systematic reviews.

d Y/N: Reports/does not report explicit grading of the quality of the supporting evidence/recommendations.

Campbell et al. BMC Health Services Research 2006 6:47   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-6-47