Importance and methods of searching for E-publications ahead of print in systematic reviews

Abstract

In an attempt to keep pace with the increasing number of trials being conducted each year, journals make articles available as E-publications ahead of print. E-publications are not available to search through the conventional databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) used in systematic reviews, but are searchable using PubMed. We used a search syntax designed to exclusively identify E-publications in PubMed to assess the importance of searching for E-publications in systematic reviews. Two case studies were conducted: updating de novo systematic reviews in particularly active areas of current research, type 2 diabetes mellitus and advanced melanoma. A search for E-publications was conducted concurrently to the conventional systematic reviews. Network diagrams were constructed with and without the results of the E-publications search to demonstrate the potential impact E-publications could have on any evidence synthesis. The advanced melanoma systematic review conducted in conventional databases identified nine studies. The E-publication search identified three additional studies reporting information for three new interventions and additional information for five interventions. Critically, if an evidence synthesis were to be conducted the identification of one of the pivotal nivolumab trials, CheckMate 067, (ipilimumab, nivolumab and ipilimumab+nivolumab) allows the connection of an otherwise disconnected evidence network. The diabetes systematic review conducted in conventional databases identified 28 studies. The E-publication search identified one additional study including an extra intervention; if evidence synthesis were feasible, the E-publication would add a loop to the evidence network which could influence analysis results. Failure to search for E-publications ahead of print may mean that evidence syntheses do not take into account all the data publicly available at the time of review.

Arthroscopic debridement has lower re-operation rates than arthrotomy in the treatment of acute septic arthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis

“…The online databases PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from database inception until 31 May 2019. Additional search of electronic publications ahead of print was done in PubMed using the syntax published earlier 19…”

“…Additional search of electronic publications ahead of print was done in PubMed using the syntax published earlier. 19 We searched for studies that compared treatment of septic arthritis of knee with arthrotomy and arthroscopy, using a combined text and MeSH search with the following terms: 'septic arthritis', knee' and 'arthroscopy'.…”

A Systematic Review of U.S.-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake Intervention Systematic Reviews: Available Evidence and Lessons Learned for Research and Practice

“…In collaboration with experienced clinical research librarians, we performed a wide search in electronic databases (CINAHL, rTIPS, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO EBSCOHOST), and reviewed the reference section of each systematic review to see if they listed additional published CRCS systematic reviews. Among the electronic databases, PubMed included e-publications (i.e., “Ahead of print citations”), which decreased the risk of missing potential publications (14).…”

Complementary approaches to searching MEDLINE may be sufficient for updating systematic reviews

“…Other databases should be searched in the unusual event that numerous studies, representing more than a small proportion of the total N, are not included in MEDLINE. Second, when it is important to find articles too new to be indexed by MEDLINE, systematic reviewers may wish to conduct a simple PubMed search limited to the nonindexed subsets [31,32].…”