Development of a validated search filter for Ovid Embase for degenerative cervical myelopathy

Abstract

Background: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a recently proposed umbrella term for symptomatic cervical spinal cord compression secondary to degeneration of the spine. Currently literature searching for DCM is challenged by the inconsistent uptake of the term 'DCM' with many overlapping keywords and numerous synonyms.Objectives: Here, we adapt our previous Ovid medline search filter for the Ovid embase database, to support comprehensive literature searching. Both embase and medline are recommended as a minimum for systematic reviews.Methods: References contained within embase identified in our prior study formed a 'development gold standard' reference database (N = 220). The search filter was adapted for embase and checked against the reference database. The filter was then validated against the 'validation gold standard'.Results: A direct translation was not possible, as medline indexing for DCM and the keywords search field were not available in embase. We also used the 'focus' function to improve precision. The resulting search filter has 100% sensitivity in testing. Discussion and Conclusion:We have developed a validated search filter capable of retrieving DCM references in embase with high sensitivity. In the absence of consistent terminology and indexing, this will support more efficient and robust evidence synthesis in the field.

Clinical outcome measures and their evidence base in degenerative cervical myelopathy: a systematic review to inform a core measurement set (AO Spine RECODE-DCM)

“…This comprised synonyms of ‘psychometric’ and ‘DCM’ (online supplemental table 1). The search was developed with oversight of a medical librarian (IK) and informed by previously developed search filters for DCM 27–29. The search was applied to MEDLINE and EMBASE, from inception until 4 August 2020, using OVID (Wolters Kluwer, Netherlands).…”

“…The search was developed with oversight of a medical librarian (IK) and informed by previously developed search filters for DCM. [27][28][29] The search was applied to MEDLINE and EMBASE, from inception until 4 August 2020, using OVID (Wolters Kluwer, Netherlands). The search also focused on DCM tools identified in previous scoping reviews.…”

A scoping review of information provided within degenerative cervical myelopathy education resources: Towards enhancing shared decision making

“…High sensitivity DCM search filters were used to search the databases EMBASE [ 37 ] and MEDLINE [ 38 ] ( S3 Appendix ). The PROSPERO database, a prospectively maintained register of planned systematic reviews, was also searched using the term “myelopathy”.…”

Development of a core measurement set for research in degenerative cervical myelopathy: a study protocol (AO Spine RECODE-DCM CMS)

“…The search was performed in EMBASE and MEDLINE from inception until 4 August 2020 to identify original research assessing the measurement properties of instruments used in clinical research of DCM. The search string was built using the relevant DCM search filter50 51 and the COSMIN filter for studies evaluating measurement properties 52. Abstracts were screened by four reviewers against a set of predefined criteria (online supplemental table 1).…”