Application of Systematic Review Methodology to the Field of Nutrition

Overview

Journal J Nutr

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2008 Nov 22

PMID 19022948

Citations 28

Authors

Alice H Lichtenstein

Elizabeth A Yetley

Joseph Lau

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Systematic reviews represent a rigorous and transparent approach to synthesizing scientific evidence that minimizes bias. They evolved within the medical community to support development of clinical and public health practice guidelines, set research agendas, and formulate scientific consensus statements. The use of systematic reviews for nutrition-related topics is more recent. Systematic reviews provide independently conducted comprehensive and objective assessments of available information addressing precise questions. This approach to summarizing available data is a useful tool for identifying the state of science including knowledge gaps and associated research needs, supporting development of science-based recommendations and guidelines, and serving as the foundation for updates as new data emerge. Our objective is to describe the steps for performing systematic reviews and highlight areas unique to the discipline of nutrition that are important to consider in data assessment. The steps involved in generating systematic reviews include identifying staffing and planning for outside expert input, forming a research team, developing an analytic framework, developing and refining research questions, defining eligibility criteria, identifying search terms, screening abstracts according to eligibility criteria, retrieving articles for evaluation, constructing evidence and summary tables, assessing methodological quality and applicability, and synthesizing results including performing meta-analysis, if appropriate. Unique and at times challenging, nutrition-related considerations include baseline nutrient exposure, nutrient status, bioequivalence of bioactive compounds, bioavailability, multiple and interrelated biological functions, undefined nature of some interventions, and uncertainties in intake assessment. Systematic reviews are a valuable and independent component of decision-making processes by groups responsible for developing science-based recommendations and policies.

Citing Articles

Methodological quality of research on perioperative immunomodulatory supplementation in oncological gastrointestinal tract surgery: a meta-research protocol.

Lima L, Mello A, Nascimento G, Trindade E BMJ Open. 2024; 14(7):e082112.

PMID: 39059807 PMC: 11284874. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082112.

Systematic Review of the Literature to Inform the Development of a South African Dietary Polyphenol Composition Database.

Jumat M, Duodu K, van Graan A Nutrients. 2023; 15(11).

PMID: 37299389 PMC: 10255694. DOI: 10.3390/nu15112426.

Flavan-3-ols and Cardiometabolic Health: First Ever Dietary Bioactive Guideline.

Crowe-White K, Evans L, Kuhnle G, Milenkovic D, Stote K, Wallace T Adv Nutr. 2022; 13(6):2070-2083.

PMID: 36190328 PMC: 9776652. DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmac105.

NUQUEST-NUtrition QUality Evaluation Strengthening Tools: development of tools for the evaluation of risk of bias in nutrition studies.

Kelly S, Greene-Finestone L, Yetley E, Benkhedda K, Brooks S, Wells G Am J Clin Nutr. 2021; 115(1):256-271.

PMID: 34605544 PMC: 8755056. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab335.

A systematic review on nomophobia prevalence: Surfacing results and standard guidelines for future research.

Leon-Mejia A, Gutierrez-Ortega M, Serrano-Pintado I, Gonzalez-Cabrera J PLoS One. 2021; 16(5):e0250509.

PMID: 34003860 PMC: 8130950. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250509.

References

Balk E, Tatsioni A, Lichtenstein A, Lau J, Pittas A . Effect of chromium supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipids: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Care. 2007; 30(8):2154-63. DOI: 10.2337/dc06-0996. View

Schatzkin A, Kipnis V, Carroll R, Midthune D, Subar A, Bingham S . A comparison of a food frequency questionnaire with a 24-hour recall for use in an epidemiological cohort study: results from the biomarker-based Observing Protein and Energy Nutrition (OPEN) study. Int J Epidemiol. 2003; 32(6):1054-62. DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyg264. View

Moher D, Cook D, Eastwood S, Olkin I, Rennie D, Stroup D . Improving the quality of reports of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials: the QUOROM statement. Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses. Lancet. 1999; 354(9193):1896-900. DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(99)04149-5. View

Gagnier J, Boon H, Rochon P, Moher D, Barnes J, Bombardier C . Reporting randomized, controlled trials of herbal interventions: an elaborated CONSORT statement. Ann Intern Med. 2006; 144(5):364-7. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-144-5-200603070-00013. View

Jassal S, Roscoe J, Zaltzman J, Mazzulli T, Krajden M, Gadawski M . Clinical practice guidelines: prevention of cytomegalovirus disease after renal transplantation. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1998; 9(9):1697-708. DOI: 10.1681/ASN.V991697. View

Miller 3rd E, Pastor-Barriuso R, Dalal D, Riemersma R, Appel L, Guallar E . Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Ann Intern Med. 2004; 142(1):37-46. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-142-1-200501040-00110. View

Wang C, Harris W, Chung M, Lichtenstein A, Balk E, Kupelnick B . n-3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not alpha-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(1):5-17. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/84.1.5. View

Guirguis-Blake J, Calonge N, Miller T, Siu A, Teutsch S, Whitlock E . Current processes of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: refining evidence-based recommendation development. Ann Intern Med. 2007; 147(2):117-22. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-2-200707170-00170. View

Balk E, Horsley T, Newberry S, Lichtenstein A, Yetley E, Schachter H . A collaborative effort to apply the evidence-based review process to the field of nutrition: challenges, benefits, and lessons learned. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85(6):1448-56. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/85.6.1448. View

10.

Trumbo P, Ellwood K . Lutein and zeaxanthin intakes and risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts: an evaluation using the Food and Drug Administration's evidence-based review system for health claims. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006; 84(5):971-4. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/84.5.971. View

11.

Moher D, Schulz K, Altman D . The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel-group randomized trials. JAMA. 2001; 285(15):1987-91. DOI: 10.1001/jama.285.15.1987. View

12.

Taylor C . Highlights of 'a model for establishing upper levels of intake for nutrients and related substances: report of a Joint FAO/WHO Technical Workshop on Nutrient Risk Assessment, May 2-6, 2005'. Nutr Rev. 2007; 65(1):31-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2007.tb00265.x. View

13.

National Quality Measures Clearinghouse , Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality . Imaging studies for low back pain. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2011; 22(4):306-11. DOI: 10.1080/15360280802537332. View

14.

Plint A, Moher D, Morrison A, Schulz K, Altman D, Hill C . Does the CONSORT checklist improve the quality of reports of randomised controlled trials? A systematic review. Med J Aust. 2006; 185(5):263-7. DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00557.x. View

15.

da Costa Santos C, Pimenta C, Nobre M . The PICO strategy for the research question construction and evidence search. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2007; 15(3):508-11. DOI: 10.1590/s0104-11692007000300023. View

16.

Hooper L, Summerbell C, Higgins J, Thompson R, Capps N, Smith G . Dietary fat intake and prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review. BMJ. 2001; 322(7289):757-63. PMC: 30550. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.322.7289.757. View

17.

Kavanaugh C, Trumbo P, Ellwood K . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's evidence-based review for qualified health claims: tomatoes, lycopene, and cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2007; 99(14):1074-85. DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djm037. View

18.

Brannon P, Yetley E, Bailey R, Picciano M . Overview of the conference "Vitamin D and Health in the 21st Century: an Update". Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 88(2):483S-490S. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/88.2.483S. View

19.

Raman G, Tatsioni A, Chung M, Rosenberg I, Lau J, Lichtenstein A . Heterogeneity and lack of good quality studies limit association between folate, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and cognitive function. J Nutr. 2007; 137(7):1789-94. DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.7.1789. View

20.

Bantle J, Wylie-Rosett J, Albright A, Apovian C, Clark N, Franz M . Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2008; 31 Suppl 1:S61-78. DOI: 10.2337/dc08-S061. View