- Pahola Roswell Cosme Chiri & Pamela Alejandra Escalante Saavedra*
- *Conselho Federal de Farmácia, Brazil
- DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18008975
Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a
neurodegenerative disease causing disability and high healthcare costs, with a
global prevalence exceeding 2.8 million people. Consequently, there is a clear
need for evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for its diagnosis,
treatment, and follow-up.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the
methodological quality of international CPGs for MS management using the AGREE
II instrument.
Methodology: A systematic search was conducted to identify
relevant CPGs. Methodological quality was assessed using the AGREE II
instrument across six domains. The weighted mean score of each domain was
calculated as a percentage. Seven CPGs published between 2010 and 2023 were
included in the evaluation.
Results: CPGs from Spain, Mexico, and Chile achieved the highest
overall scores (above 70%), primarily due to their clarity and scope. However,
critical weaknesses were identified consistently across most guidelines, particularly
in Domain 5 (Applicability) and Domain 6 (Editorial Independence), which
received the lowest scores. CPGs from Peru (41%) and the UK (45%) scored lowest
overall, suggesting issues in methodological reporting.
Conclusions: The methodological quality of international MS CPGs
is variable, revealing a systemic limitation regarding the participation of
stakeholders and the applicability of the recommendations. Enhancing
transparency, promoting regular updates, and ensuring broader stakeholder involvement
are essential to improve quality standards and facilitate clinical
implementation.
