Karen McLaughlin1, Maralyn Foureur2, Megan E Jensen1, Vanessa E Murphy3. 1. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell™, Hunter Medical Research Institute and University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. 2. Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell™, Hunter Medical Research Institute and University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Vanessa.Murphy@newcastle.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Asthma affects 12.7% of pregnancies in Australia. Poorly controlled asthma is associated with increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Optimal antenatal management of asthma during pregnancy has the potential to reduce complications relating to asthma. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines help to translate health research findings into practice and when implemented can improve health outcomes. National and International guidelines currently provide recommendations for optimal asthma care in pregnancy. AIM: To appraise the existing asthma in pregnancy guidelines with respect to their evidence for recommendations, consistency of recommendations and appropriateness for clinical practice. METHOD: The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool was used to appraise four English language asthma in pregnancy guidelines, published or updated between 2007 and 2016. The recommendations, range and level of evidence was analysed. RESULTS: Two of the four guidelines scored highly in most domains of the appraisal. Many of the recommendations made in the appraised guidelines were consistent. Due to the lack of randomised controlled trials involving pregnant women with asthma, most recommendations were evidenced by consensus and expert opinion rather than high quality meta-analysis, systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. CONCLUSION: The recommended antenatal asthma management was generally consistent among the guidelines but lacked clarity in some areas which then leave them open to interpretation. More randomised controlled trials involving pregnant women with asthma are required to fortify the recommendations made and asthma management guidelines should be included in Australian Antenatal Care Guidelines as they currently are not.
BACKGROUND:Asthma affects 12.7% of pregnancies in Australia. Poorly controlled asthma is associated with increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Optimal antenatal management of asthma during pregnancy has the potential to reduce complications relating to asthma. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines help to translate health research findings into practice and when implemented can improve health outcomes. National and International guidelines currently provide recommendations for optimal asthma care in pregnancy. AIM: To appraise the existing asthma in pregnancy guidelines with respect to their evidence for recommendations, consistency of recommendations and appropriateness for clinical practice. METHOD: The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool was used to appraise four English language asthma in pregnancy guidelines, published or updated between 2007 and 2016. The recommendations, range and level of evidence was analysed. RESULTS: Two of the four guidelines scored highly in most domains of the appraisal. Many of the recommendations made in the appraised guidelines were consistent. Due to the lack of randomised controlled trials involving pregnant women with asthma, most recommendations were evidenced by consensus and expert opinion rather than high quality meta-analysis, systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. CONCLUSION: The recommended antenatal asthma management was generally consistent among the guidelines but lacked clarity in some areas which then leave them open to interpretation. More randomised controlled trials involving pregnant women with asthma are required to fortify the recommendations made and asthma management guidelines should be included in Australian Antenatal Care Guidelines as they currently are not.
Authors: Maria Popa; Gheorghe Peltecu; Nicolae Gica; Anca Marina Ciobanu; Radu Botezatu; Corina Gica; Alexandru Steriade; Anca Maria Panaitescu Journal: Maedica (Bucur) Date: 2021-03