Global Guidelines in Dermatology Mapping Project ( GUIDEMAP )—A systematic review of the methodological quality of contact dermatitis clinical practice guidelines

Contact Dermatitis, vol. 90, pp. 543–555

Abstract

The Global Guidelines in Dermatology Mapping Project (GUIDEMAP) assesses the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for high-burden skin diseases. This review focuses on contact dermatitis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Emcare, Epistemonikos, PsycINFO and Academic Search Premier for CPGs published between 1 November 2018 and 1 November 2023. Prespecified guideline resources were hand searched. Two authors independently undertook screening, data extraction and quality assessments. Instruments used were the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II Reporting Checklist, the U.S. Institute of Medicine's (IOM) criteria of trustworthiness, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's National Guideline Clearinghouse Extent Adherence to Trustworthy Standards (NEATS) Instrument and Lenzer's Red Flags. Twenty five CPGs were included, exhibiting heterogeneity in both the topics they addressed and their methodological quality. Whereas the CPGs on management of hand eczema from Denmark, Europe and the Netherlands scored best, most CPGs fell short of being clear, unbiased, trustworthy and evidence-based. Disclosure of conflicts of interest scored well, and areas needing improvement include 'strength and wording of recommendations', 'applicability', 'updating' and 'external review'. Adhering to AGREE II and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) enhances methodological quality.

Authors 5

1. Esther J van Zuuren corresponding Aachen Dermatology Department

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Dermatology Department Leiden University Medical Centre Leiden The Netherlands

   Dermatology Department, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Bernd W. M. Arents
   Affiliation as printed

   Dutch Association for People with Atopic Dermatitis Nijkerk The Netherlands

   Dutch Association for People with Atopic Dermatitis, Nijkerk, The Netherlands

3. Sofieke Vermeulen

   Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam · Amsterdam University Medical Centers

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Dermatology Amsterdam University Medical Center Amsterdam The Netherlands

   Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

4. Jan W. Schoones Aachen Directorate of Research Policy (formerly: Walaeus Library)

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Directorate of Research Policy (formerly: Walaeus Library) Leiden University Medical Centre Leiden The Netherlands

   Directorate of Research Policy (formerly: Walaeus Library), Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Zbys Fedorowicz
   Affiliation as printed

   Veritas Health Sciences Consultancy Huntingdon UK

   Veritas Health Sciences Consultancy, Huntingdon, UK