PRISMA 2020

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. Revista espanola de cardiologia (English ed.) 2021 · PMID 34446261 · doi:10.1016/j.rec.2021.07.010

Question

What should be reported in a systematic review and meta-analysis so that its methods and findings are transparent and reproducible?

Design

Updated consensus reporting guideline replacing PRISMA 2009, developed through literature review, survey and expert meetings.

Patients

Authors, reviewers and readers of systematic reviews, with or without meta-analysis.

Intervention

27-item checklist with revised flow diagram

Comparison

PRISMA 2009 statement

Primary outcome

Not applicable (reporting standard)

Key result

Replaced PRISMA 2009 with an expanded 27-item checklist, an abstract checklist and revised flow diagrams for both new and updated reviews, reflecting advances in how studies are identified, selected, appraised and synthesised.

Limitations

Guides reporting, not the conduct or quality of the review itself; a well-reported review can still pool biased primary studies.

Impact on practice

Expected by orthopaedic journals for any systematic review; the PRISMA flow diagram is a common appraisal and exam topic.