Table 1 Characteristics of the tools analyzed
ADAPTE | AGREE II | GLIA | AMSTAR | INAHTA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic characteristics | |||||
Specific tools for assessment of evidence synthesis | X | X | X | X | X |
Guideline-specific tools (development or assessment) | X | X | X | − | − |
Primary objective: assessment of guidelines | in part | X | X* | − | − |
Validated tool | X | X | X | X | − |
Individual recommendation or question is focus of the assessment | X | − | in part | X | X |
Extraction of data to be evaluated | in part | − | − | − | − |
Uniform format for answers | in part | X | in part | X | in part |
Explicit definition of “quality” | X | X | − | X | − |
Explicit definition of “validity” | X | − | X | − | − |
Assessment of quality | |||||
Aspects of methodological quality | X | X | X | X | X |
Content-related aspects | X | In part † | X | − | X |
Quality of the evidence base | X | In part † | In part | − | − |
Consequences of the assessment | |||||
Consequences for use of evidence base | X | − | − | − | − |
Consequences for use of the whole guideline (e.g. recommendation for use, suitability as a source) | X | X | X | n. a. | n. a. |
Consequences for use of guideline recommendation or conclusion of a systematic review / HTA (e.g. modification when used as a source) | X | − | X | − | − |