Table 1 Criteria used to assess the methodological quality of selected cohort and cross-sectional studies (Lievense et al. [5,6])
From: Could low grade bacterial infection contribute to low back pain? A systematic review
Item | Criterion | Study type |
|---|---|---|
Study population | ||
1 | Selection before disease was present or at uniform point | CH/CC/CS |
2 | Cases and controls were drawn from the same population | CC |
3 | Participation rate ≥80% for cases/cohort | CH/CC/CS |
4 | Participation rate ≥80% for controls | CC |
5 | Sufficient description of baseline characteristics | CH/CC/CS |
Assessment of risk factor | ||
6 | Presence of bacteria was blinded | CH/CC/CS |
7 | Presence of bacteria were measured identical for cases and controls | CC |
8 | Presence of bacteria were assessed prior to the outcome | CH/CC/CS |
Assessment of outcome | ||
9 | Low back pain/ Modic change was assessed identical in studied population | CH/CC/CS |
10 | Low back pain/ Modic change was assessed reproducibly | CH/CC/CS |
11 | Low back pain/ Modic change was assessed according to standard definitions | CH/CC/CS |
Study design | ||
12 | Prospective design was used | CH/CC/CS |
13 | Follow-up time ≥2 years | CH |
14 | Withdrawals ≤20% | CH |
Analysis and data presentation | ||
15 | Appropriate analysis techniques were used | CH/CC/CS |
16 | Adjusted for at least age and sex | CH/CC/CS |