What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aimed to validate previous findings on the optimal database combination for retrieving systematic reviews.

April 1, 2026Open Access

The optimal approach for retrieving systematic reviews was achieved when searching MEDLINE and Epistemonikos in addition to reference checking: a methodological validation study

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The study aimed to validate previous findings on the optimal database combination for retrieving systematic reviews.
Analyzed a set of 100 Overviews of Reviews containing 2276 systematic reviews.
Assessed inclusion in MEDLINE, Embase, and Epistemonikos.
Calculated mean inclusion rates and 95% confidence intervals for each database and combinations.
Reviewed features of systematic reviews not identified by the best database combination.
Inclusion rates were similar across all three databases, around 94%.
Reference checking with MEDLINE increased the inclusion rate to 95.5%.
The best combination was MEDLINE and Epistemonikos with reference checking, achieving an inclusion rate of 98.1%.
Discovered geographical bias with many excluded reviews published in Chinese journals.

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Implication

Methodological validation study shows optimal retrieval of systematic reviews using specific databases and reference checking, highlighting geographic biases.

Cite This Study

Heinen et al. (2024) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ccb72e16edfba7beb8904f https://doi.org/10.48620/96541

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Implication

Methodological validation study shows optimal retrieval of systematic reviews using specific databases and reference checking, highlighting geographic biases.

The optimal approach for retrieving systematic reviews was achieved when searching MEDLINE and Epistemonikos in addition to reference checking: a methodological validation study

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

The optimal approach for retrieving systematic reviews was achieved when searching MEDLINE and Epistemonikos in addition to reference checking: a methodological validation study

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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