Comparison Of Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines As Defined By The EAU And AUA

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 13 Apr 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - Dr. Gunnar Aus (Gothenburg) presented an update on the EAU guidelines. Guidelines are related to evidence-based medicine (EBM) which is the "conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients" (Sackett, DL, 1996, BMJ). However, guidelines are slightly different as they include EBM, but are not restricted to it. EAU guidelines are generated by 19 working groups and include all level 1 evidence. EAU guidelines are distributed to all EAU members and can be accessed at the EAU website. EAU methodology includes the best EBM but also adds best practice patterns. Updating the guidelines is critical to the EAU process.

Dr. Tiselius (Stockholm) discussed the guidelines further. Evidence from meta-analyses of randomized trials or at least one randomized trial is sought, but often not available. There is significant variability in which results are reported. The evidence is combined with factors related to practice patterns and debated by guidelines panels. The EAU procedure is thus quicker and simpler than that used by the AUA. The AUA extracts data, computerizes it and performs a statistical analysis, which is then reviewed by a panel. The outcomes from a guideline can be a recommendation or an option. In a comparison between the guidelines from the 2 groups he suggested that results would be comparable, although no evidence or data to support this was presented.

Presented by: Gunnar Aus, MD, PhD, at the European Association of Urology - 23rd Annual EAU Congress - March 26 - 29, 2008 - Milan, Italy

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Christopher P. Evans, MD, FACS

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