OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group (CMSG) systematic reviews and corresponding primary studies of rheumatoid arthritis interventions report and analyze the data needed to assess the effectiveness of interventions in reducing socioeconomic differences in health and/or improving the health of the poor. METHODS: We selected all CMSG reviews on rheumatoid arthritis published since issue 1, 2003. Fourteen reviews were identified; 147 of the 156 primary studies included in these reviews were obtained and assessed. We extracted data on whether the dimensions place of residence, race/ethnicity/culture, occupation, gender, religion, education, socioeconomic status, and social capital and networks (PROGRESS) were reported or analyzed, and whether any interventions were aimed at disadvantaged or low- and middle-income country populations. RESULTS: Among the dimensions of PROGRESS reported at baseline in 147 primary studies, gender (89%) was the most commonly reported, followed by education (25%) and race/ethnicity (18%). Less than 50% of the systematic reviews reported dimensions of PROGRESS even when they had been reported in the primary study. Of 147 primary studies, 6 (5%) were aimed specifically at disadvantaged populations; another 6 reported on effectiveness by at least 1 dimension of PROGRESS. CONCLUSION: Primary studies of interventions for rheumatoid arthritis generally reported few variables necessary to answer questions about health inequalities. Most CMSG systematic reviews failed to assess those variables even when described in the primary studies. The Cochrane Health Equity Field welcomes the opportunity to provide guidance to systematic review authors on incorporating equity considerations into their reviews.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group (CMSG) systematic reviews and corresponding primary studies of rheumatoid arthritis interventions report and analyze the data needed to assess the effectiveness of interventions in reducing socioeconomic differences in health and/or improving the health of the poor. METHODS: We selected all CMSG reviews on rheumatoid arthritis published since issue 1, 2003. Fourteen reviews were identified; 147 of the 156 primary studies included in these reviews were obtained and assessed. We extracted data on whether the dimensions place of residence, race/ethnicity/culture, occupation, gender, religion, education, socioeconomic status, and social capital and networks (PROGRESS) were reported or analyzed, and whether any interventions were aimed at disadvantaged or low- and middle-income country populations. RESULTS: Among the dimensions of PROGRESS reported at baseline in 147 primary studies, gender (89%) was the most commonly reported, followed by education (25%) and race/ethnicity (18%). Less than 50% of the systematic reviews reported dimensions of PROGRESS even when they had been reported in the primary study. Of 147 primary studies, 6 (5%) were aimed specifically at disadvantaged populations; another 6 reported on effectiveness by at least 1 dimension of PROGRESS. CONCLUSION: Primary studies of interventions for rheumatoid arthritis generally reported few variables necessary to answer questions about health inequalities. Most CMSG systematic reviews failed to assess those variables even when described in the primary studies. The Cochrane Health Equity Field welcomes the opportunity to provide guidance to systematic review authors on incorporating equity considerations into their reviews.
Authors: Vivian Welch; Peter Tugwell; Mark Petticrew; Joanne de Montigny; Erin Ueffing; Betsy Kristjansson; Jessie McGowan; Maria Benkhalti Jandu; George A Wells; Kevin Brand; Janet Smylie Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2010-12-08
Authors: Vivian Welch; Mark Petticrew; Erin Ueffing; Maria Benkhalti Jandu; Kevin Brand; Bharbhoor Dhaliwal; Elizabeth Kristjansson; Janet Smylie; George Anthony Wells; Peter Tugwell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-03-13 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Vivian Welch; Omar Dewidar; Elizabeth Tanjong Ghogomu; Salman Abdisalam; Abdulah Al Ameer; Victoria I Barbeau; Kevin Brand; Kisanet Kebedom; Maria Benkhalti; Elizabeth Kristjansson; Mohamad Tarek Madani; Alba M Antequera Martín; Christine M Mathew; Jessie McGowan; William McLeod; Hanbyoul Agatha Park; Jennifer Petkovic; Alison Riddle; Peter Tugwell; Mark Petticrew; Jessica Trawin; George A Wells Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2022-01-18
Authors: Vivian A Welch; Elie A Akl; Kevin Pottie; Mohammed T Ansari; Matthias Briel; Robin Christensen; Antonio Dans; Leonila Dans; Javier Eslava-Schmalbach; Gordon Guyatt; Monica Hultcrantz; Janet Jull; Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi; Eddy Lang; Elizabeth Matovinovic; Joerg J Meerpohl; Rachael L Morton; Annhild Mosdol; M Hassan Murad; Jennifer Petkovic; Holger Schünemann; Ravi Sharaf; Bev Shea; Jasvinder A Singh; Ivan Solà; Roger Stanev; Airton Stein; Lehana Thabaneii; Thomy Tonia; Mario Tristan; Sigurd Vitols; Joseph Watine; Peter Tugwell Journal: J Clin Epidemiol Date: 2017-04-04 Impact factor: 6.437
Authors: Vivian Welch; Mark Petticrew; Jennifer Petkovic; David Moher; Elizabeth Waters; Howard White; Peter Tugwell Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2015-10-08
Authors: Vivian Welch; J Jull; J Petkovic; R Armstrong; Y Boyer; L G Cuervo; Sjl Edwards; A Lydiatt; D Gough; J Grimshaw; E Kristjansson; L Mbuagbaw; J McGowan; D Moher; T Pantoja; M Petticrew; K Pottie; T Rader; B Shea; M Taljaard; E Waters; C Weijer; G A Wells; H White; M Whitehead; P Tugwell Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2015-10-21 Impact factor: 7.327