Quality Guidelines for Corona Virus Disease 2019 with AGREE II
Instrument.
Abstract
Objective: Numerous clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the corona
virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been developed since its outbreak. To
date, however, the methodological quality of these guidelines has not
been fully evaluated. Quality evaluation of the guidelines is to
facilitate the clinic practitioners in diagnosis and treatment of the
COVID-19. Methods: The evaluation was conducted by searching seven
databases and government organizations websites (December 2019 to March
2020). Four assessors assessed the quality of the CPGs independently
with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE
II) instrument. For domain scores (0-100%), >60% were
considered of sufficient quality, and >80% of good
quality. Results: Of 471 retrieved records, 20 guidelines were included.
The median score for the domain of scope and purpose was 56.9% (range
40.3–90.3%) and nine guidelines scored >60%, among which
three guidelines scored >80%. The median score for the
stakeholder involvement domain was 7% (range 0–65.3%) and only two
guidelines scored >60%. Nine guidelines scored 0% in this
domain. The median score for the rigour of development domain was 0%
(range 0–91.7%) and fourteen guidelines scored 0% in this domain. The
median score for the clarity of presentation domain was 30.6% (range
13.9–91.7%) and six guidelines scored >60%, among which
three guidelines scored >80%. The median score for the
applicability domain was 0% (0–57.3%) and eleven guidelines scored
0% in this domain. The median score for the editorial independence
domain was 0% (0–100%): four guidelines scored >80%.
Discussions:Three guidelines were recommendable, and four were
recommendable with modification in the stakeholder involvement, the
rigour of development, and the applicability domains. Our results could
contribute to improve development of future guidelines, and affect the
reasonable selection and use of guidelines in clinical practice.