Progress of core outcome set development in maternal and neonatal
health: a systematic review using COS-STAD standards
Abstract
Background: Methods used to develop existing core outcome sets relevant
to maternal and neonatal health have not been fully evaluated.
Objectives: To systematically review core outcome sets relevant to
maternal and neonatal health; evaluate against minimum standards for
development; and evaluate overlap between core outcome sets. Search
strategy: Multi-faceted search of two core outcome set registers (COMET,
CROWN) the ICHOM database of standard sets, and three electronic
databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL) was conducted from inception to
January 2020. Selection criteria: Published papers reporting completed
core outcome sets relevant to maternal or neonatal health, for research
or clinical use, were evaluated against COS-STAD minimum standards for
development. Data collection and analysis: Descriptive statistics
describe characteristics and results. Main results: Thirty-two papers
relating to 26 core outcome sets were included (maternal: 18 papers: 17
COS; neonatal: 14 papers: 9 COS). Fifteen (58%) were published since
2017. No included COS met all minimum standards for development. All COS
met the minimum standard for scope. Eighteen (69%) met all three
minimum standards for stakeholder involvement. No included COS met all
five minimum standards for consensus process. COS included between 6 and
56 outcomes. Two COS (8%) provided recommendations for how and when to
measure outcomes. Conclusions: This is the first application of COS-STAD
minimum standards relevant to maternal and neonatal health. Findings
offer a baseline evaluation. There is an urgent need to address
outcomes, measurement and timing in core outcomes to support
harmonization between core outcome sets.