Critical appraisal:Pease NJ, Edwards A, Moss LJ 2005
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Critical Appraisal
Article being appraised
Pease NJ, Edwards A, Moss LJ. Effectiveness of whole brain radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastases: a systematic review. Palliat Med 2005 Jun;19(4):288-99 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15984501.
Applicable clinical question
Key Facts
Study Design
systematic review — Included RCT and non-RCT, all languages. Only studies where outcome measures reported.
Number of Patients:
Not applicable
Includes an economic evaluation
no
Evidence ratings
Level of evidence
III-3
Risk of bias
| Low risk of bias | Comments: Good search strategy including some translation of Non-English articles. Pre-defined templates for assessing evidence with weighting for quality. Results summarised. No MA performed due to heterogeneity of trials. |
Size of effect
| 1 | Reason for decision: Concluded WBRT provides modest survival benefit of up to 3 months over supportive care alone. This was only in patients with good performance status. >50% relief of pressure symptoms but less for neurological symptoms. |
Relevance of evidence
| 1 | Additional comments: Clinically relevant endpoints - survival, toxicity, neurological response, duration of response |
Result of appraisal
Included
Completed by
This appraisal has been completed.
- Article
- Pease NJ, Edwards A, Moss LJ. Effectiveness of whole brain radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastases: a systematic review. Palliat Med 2005 Jun;19(4):288-99 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15984501.
- Assigned to
- User:Shalini.vinod
- Topic area
- Guidelines:Lung cancer/Treatment/Non-small-cell stage IV inoperable
- Clinical question
Section below only relevant for Cancer Council Project Officer