Implementing GRADE-ADOLOPMENT for Clinical Practice Guidelines in Resource-Limited Settings: The AKU Experience

Implementing GRADE-ADOLOPMENT for Clinical Practice Guidelines

Authors

  • Ainan Arshad Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Hamayl Zeeshan Centre for Clinical Best Practices, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Mohsin Ali Mustafa Centre for Clinical Best Practices, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Nashia Rizvi Centre for Clinical Best Practices, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Alina Abdul Rehman Centre for Clinical Best Practices, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Alina Pervez Centre for Clinical Best Practices, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Adil H. Haider Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53560/PPASB(61-sp1)1009

Keywords:

Adaptation, Clinical Practice Guidelines, De-novo guidelines, Evidence-to-Decision tables, GRADE-ADOLOPMENT

Abstract

In regions grappling with limited resources to support the formulation of evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), GRADE-ADOLOPMENT offers a unique pathway to craft guidelines tailored to the specific needs of areas with sparse CPGs. The Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan, used GRADE-ADOLOPMENT to create guidelines for prevalent diseases in Pakistan. An adaptation of the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT methodology was employed in collaboration with the US GRADE working group. ADOLOPMENT is a combination of de-novo creation, adoption (use as is or with minor changes), or adaptation (modification based on local context) of recommendations. After the selection of a source guideline (SG), the recommendations were either adopted, adapted, or excluded. Adaptations were done using the Evidence-To-Decision table. Contextualized CPGs were developed for Pakistan, covering over 25 medical specialties. The article discusses the wide variety of topics and specialties covered using GRADE-ADOLOPMENT in Pakistan for the first time. The lessons learned from this resource-constrained GRADEADOLOPMENT experience provide valuable guidance for teams undertaking projects in similar resource-limited settings. The GRADE-ADOLOPMENT experience at AKU in Pakistan serves as a valuable example, showcasing both the challenges and creative solutions in the context of medical guideline development in resource-limited regions.

References

C.A. Cuello-Garcia. The movement for adopting or adapting clinical guidelines and recommendations. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 131, 166-167 (2021).

H.J. Schünemann, W. Wiercioch, J. Brozek, I. Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta, R.A. Mustafa, V. Manja, R. Brignardello-Petersen, I. Neumann, M. Falavigna, W. Alhazzani, and N. Santesso. GRADE Evidence to Decision (EtD) frameworks for adoption, adaptation, and de novo development of trustworthy recommendations: GRADE-ADOLOPMENT. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 81 101-110 (2017).

A.D. Okely, D. Ghersi, K.D. Hesketh, R. Santos, S.P. Loughran, D.P. Cliff, T. Shilton, D. Grant, R.A. Jones, R.M. Stanley, and J. Sherring. A collaborative approach to adopting/adapting guidelines-The Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the early years (Birth to 5 years): an integration of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. BMC Public Health 17(5) 167-190 (2017).

A. Darzi, M. Harfouche, T. Arayssi, S. Alemadi, K.A. Alnaqbi, H. Badsha, F. Al Balushi, B. Elzorkany, H. Halabi, M. Hamoudeh, and W. Hazer. Adaptation of the 2015 American College of Rheumatology treatment guideline for rheumatoid arthritis for the Eastern Mediterranean Region: an exemplar of the GRADE Adolopment. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 15 1-13 (2017).

B.K.G. Loo, A.D. Okely, A. Pulungan, and M.Y. Jalaludin. Asia-Pacific Consensus Statement on Implementing GRADE-ADOLOPMENT for Clinical Practice Guidelines integrated 24-hour activity guidelines for children and adolescents. British Journal of Sports Medicine 56(10) 539-545 (2022).

R. Coronado-Zarco, A.O.G. de León, and M.G. FabaBeaumont. Adaptation of clinical practice guidelines for osteoporosis in a Mexican context. Experience using methodologies ADAPTE, GRADE-ADOLOPMENT, and RAND/UCLA. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 131 30-42 (2021).

J.J. Reilly, A.R. Hughes, X. Janssen, K.R. Hesketh, S. Livingstone, C. Hill, R. Kipping, C.E. Draper, A.D. Okely, and A. Martin. 2020. GRADE-ADOLOPMENT process to develop 24-hour movement behavior recommendations and physical activity guidelines for the under 5s in the United Kingdom, 2019. Journal of Physical Activity and Health 17(1) 101-108 (2020).

J.W. Busse, J. Kaur, B. Mollon, M. Bhandari, P. Tornetta, H.J. Schünemann, and G.H. Guyatt. Low intensity pulsed ultrasonography for fractures: systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 338:b351 (2009).

Published

2024-04-24

How to Cite

Ainan Arshad, Muhammad Hamayl Zeeshan, Mohsin Ali Mustafa, Nashia Rizvi, Alina Abdul Rehman, Alina Pervez, & Adil H. Haider. (2024). Implementing GRADE-ADOLOPMENT for Clinical Practice Guidelines in Resource-Limited Settings: The AKU Experience : Implementing GRADE-ADOLOPMENT for Clinical Practice Guidelines. Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: B. Life and Environmental Sciences, 61(S). https://doi.org/10.53560/PPASB(61-sp1)1009