LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To assess reporting and methodological aspects of systematic reviews (SRs) on prevalence and cumulative incidence data. STUDY DESIGN We searched PubMed up to 18 April, 2018 and drew a random sample of eligible SRs. RESULTS The included 215 SRs were reported in 187 different journals. 58.1% were published between 2015 and 2018. Few SRs were registered with PROSPERO (5.6%). One quarter considered articles without languages restrictions (25.1%). Regional restrictions of included studies were applied in 22.8%. A meta-analysis was carried out in 40.5% of the SRs. 106 studies (49.3%) assessed risk of bias or study quality. A total of 41 different existing tools as well as 15 tools developed by the authors themselves were used. The most commonly applied tools were the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (15.1%), STROBE (13.5%) and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias (7.9%). CONCLUSION We found large heterogeneity in characteristics, reporting and methodological aspects of SRs on prevalence and cumulative incidence data, especially when compared to other types of SRs. Newly developed or revised guidance on how to conduct and report SRs as well as instruments for critical appraisal should consider the diversity of review types.