High quantity and variable quality of guidelines for acute pancreatitis: a systematic review

Several clinical guidelines exist for acute pancreatitis, with varying recommendations. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of guidelines for acute pancreatitis.

A literature search identified relevant guidelines, which were then reviewed to determine their document format and scope and the presence of endorsement by a professional body. The quality of guidelines was determined using the validated Grilli, Shaneyfelt, and AGREE instruments.

Twenty-one of the 30 guidelines analyzed were endorsed by professional bodies. Median quality scores were as follows: Grilli, 2; Shaneyfelt, 13; and AGREE, 50. Guideline quality did not improve over time. Guidelines endorsed by a professional body had higher scores than those without official endorsement. Guidelines with tables, a recommendations summary, evidence grading, and audit goals had significantly higher scores than guidelines lacking those features.

The many clinical guidelines for acute pancreatitis range widely in quality. Guidelines developed by professional bodies, and those with tables, a recommendations summary, evidence grading, and audit goals, are of higher quality. Further research is required to determine whether guideline quality alters clinical outcomes.