Lectura crítica (ii): aplicación en artículos científicos sobre intervenciones terapéuticas, revisiones sistemáticas y metanálisis

In this article, we discuss the methodology for the critical appraisal of clinical trials and systematic reviews. Studies of either type, when well designed and executed, provide the best evidence for clinical decision-making. Clinical trials are the primary source of evidence for evaluating therapeutic interventions, and systematic reviews analyze and synthesize research of a certain quality to answer a specific clinical question. To assess their validity, it is essential that they aim to answer a specific question in terms of population, intervention and outcomes, and that the risk of bias is reduced as much as possible during their development, from design to publication. The article addresses the steps to take to assess whether a clinical trial or systematic review meets the criteria for its results to be considered reliable (valid). Once their validity is confirmed, the magnitude and clinical relevance of the results must be assessed, in addition to their applicability to our patients in particular.