Appraising of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Quality in the Non-Pharmacological Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia; A Review

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Social Determinant Health Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Department of Radiation Oncology , Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Integrative Functional Gastroenterology research center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

4 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Febrile neutropenia is a common and serious chemotherapy side effect, is associated with increased
mortality, morbidity, and treatment expenditures. Several CPGs (Clinical practice guidelines) have been released
for managing chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia. The aim of this study is Appraisal of the clinical practice
Guidelines quality in the management of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia. Methods: A review study with
a systematic search of the present CPGs for the management of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia. After
screening the CPGs based on eligibility criteria, three CPGs were selected and 5 independent reviewers appraised them
for methodological quality by using the AGREE II Instrument. Results: Three CPGs were included; all of them were
evidence-based guidelines. The clarity of presentation domain scored the highest and the applicability domain has the
lowest score among all domains of AGREE instrument and the rest of domains scored as descending respectively;
Scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, editorial independence, rigor of development. In general, the intra-class
correlation coefficient (ICC) scores of all domains were very good according to the Landis and Koch’s scale, except
the Applicability domain scored as substantial. Conclusions: This study showed the quality of appraised CPGs. Three
domains of these CPGs based on the AGREE instrument scored less than other domains and were in relatively unfavorable
status: applicability, rigor of development, editorial independence. Given the importance of these domains in guideline
implementation, it is necessary to take actions for reducing these defects.

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