Scientific article
English

Methodological quality assessment tool for observational studies comparing treatment effectiveness in infectious diseases : a Delphi consensus and application to studies on bloodstream infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales

Errata
  • The appendix and title of figure 4 were incorrect. These corrections have been made to the online version as of April 1, 2026, and will be made to the printed version.
  • DOI : 10.1016/s1473-3099(26)00182-9
  • PMID : 41935531
Published inThe Lancet. Infectious diseases, vol. 26, no. 8, p. e285-e293
Publication date2026-08
First online date2026-03-23
Abstract

Observational studies often guide treatment recommendations in infectious diseases when controlled trials are not available. Nevertheless, insufficient methodological rigour can compromise their validity and reproducibility. The Assessment of Methodological Quality and Bias in Observational Studies for Infectious Diseases (ASSURE-ID) questionnaire was created via a Delphi process involving 34 international experts. Three Delphi rounds granted consensus on the assessment tool comprising five domains, 42 items, and 48 assessment questions. A systematic literature review (PROSPERO number CRD420251065957) identified eligible observational studies comparing new drugs for bloodstream infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. After piloting, its final version was applied. Of the 5268 records screened, 14 studies were included. Tool application showed clear reporting of study objectives; however, only one (7%) study documented protocol pre-registration, two (14%) documented adherence to official reporting guidelines, and no studies documented a pre-established statistical analysis plan. Missing data were acknowledged in four (29%) studies and addressed in one (7%). Immortal time bias was addressed in two (14%) studies. Confounders were adjusted in 12 (86%) studies, but causal models and interaction testing were uncommon (in four [29%] studies, and one [7%] study, respectively). ASSURE-ID offers a structured, consensus-based framework to appraise methodological rigour in observational infectious diseases studies comparing treatments. Application to studies on bloodstream infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales highlighted substantial limitations in the analysed studies.

Keywords
  • Humans
  • Delphi Technique
  • Observational Studies as Topic / standards
  • Observational Studies as Topic / methods
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / microbiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
  • Carbapenems / therapeutic use
  • Carbapenems / pharmacology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Consensus
  • Research Design
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects
Citation (ISO format)
ZUMBO, Giulia et al. Methodological quality assessment tool for observational studies comparing treatment effectiveness in infectious diseases : a Delphi consensus and application to studies on bloodstream infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. In: The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 2026, vol. 26, n° 8, p. e285–e293. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00058-7
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Journal ISSN1473-3099
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Technical informations

Creation26/08/2026 06:02:01
First validation08/09/2026 07:52:58
Update08/09/2026 07:52:58
Status update08/09/2026 07:52:58
Last indexation08/09/2026 07:53:00
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