The Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD)

CRD is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and is a department of the University of York. CRD, which was established in 1994, is one of the largest groups in the world engaged exclusively in evidence synthesis in the health field. CRD undertakes systematic reviews evaluating the research evidence on health and public health questions of national and international importance. They produce the DARE, NHS EED and HTA databases which are used extensively by health professionals, policy makers and researchers around the world. They also undertake methods research and produce internationally accepted guidelines for undertaking systematic reviews.

CRD databases updated
In the week of 28/02/13 to 06/03/13, 25 new records were added to the DARE database.

Abstracts of the week - a selection

Reassurance after diagnostic testing with a low pretest probability of serious disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. This well-conducted review concluded that diagnostic tests, for symptoms with a low risk of serious illness, did little to reassure patients, decrease their anxiety, or resolve their symptoms, but they could prevent some subsequent primary care visits. This conclusion reflects the results of the review and appears likely to be reliable.
Interventions for improving coordination of reach to grasp following stroke: a systematic review. The authors concluded that there was insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve hand and arm coordination, during reach to grasp, after stroke. This appears to have been a well-conducted review. The authors' conclusion and recommendations for further research, correspond with the findings presented and appear reliable.
Maternal exercise and growth in breastfed infants: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The authors concluded that mothers could exercise and breast-feed without reducing their infant's growth, but this was based on limited evidence and required further research. This was a well-conducted review and the authors' tentative conclusion and recommendations for further research appear to be reliable.
Patient versus healthcare professional spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting: a systematic review. The authors concluded that there were similarities and differences of reported behaviour between patients and healthcare professionals, in relation to adverse drug reactions. The true value of patient adverse drug reaction reports to pharmacovigilence would remain unknown until more comparative evaluations were undertaken. Based on limited evidence, the authors conclusion and research recommendations seem reasonable.
The diagnostic accuracy of anterior cruciate ligament rupture using magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis. This well-conducted review concluded that magnetic resonance imaging was highly accurate for the diagnosis of complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Its use was recommended to confirm diagnosis before surgery. The review methods were robust and the authors' conclusions reflected the data presented and are likely to be reliable.
The efficacy of intrauterine devices for emergency contraception: a systematic review of 35 years of experience. The review concluded that intrauterine devices are a highly effective method of emergency contraception. Although the evidence base was limited and studies may have been missed, the authors' conclusions are likely to be reliable but generalisability and applicability are not clear.
Wound protectors reduce surgical site infection: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The authors concluded that wound protectors reduced the rate of surgical site infection after gastrointestinal or biliary tract surgery, and they recommended their routine use in clinical practice. This was a well-conducted review, and the authors' conclusions seem reliable.