Living systematic review: Tools to ensure its quality

Abstract

Living Systematic Review (LAR) is an emerging type of continually updated review. Associated with the LSR, different tools are explored to define the systematic review protocol, assess the quality of the evidence, and reduce the bias of this type of analysis. The main objective was to analyse through an LSR (1st version) the studies carried out in recent years using the LSR approach. Initially, a bibliometric analysis was carried out. Later, with the metadata collected in the Scopus database (211), the titles, abstracts, and keywords of 55 articles were analysed using the content analysis technique. Specifically, it was intended to answer the following question: What tools are used in Living Systematic Review? In this way, articles that fit the pre-defined inclusion criteria presupposed used Amstar, JBI Appraisal Tools, Cochrane Risk of Bias, Grade, Probast, Quadas or Tailored Prisma 2020. COVID-19 pandemic was the dominant topic. The most used tool was the Grade, thus evidencing the need to evaluate its use throughout the different phases of the LSR. It was maintained that the LSR is a very suitable type of review for studies that need periodic updates. The resources to the listed tools validate the quality of scientific production with an impact on its application. As a limitation, and at the same time as a clue for future studies, is the fact that these results are dated and that they need to be updated periodically. It can be further detailed on when to use (or not) the listed tools and when to (or not) update an LSR.