Quality Guidelines for Corona Virus Disease 2019 with AGREE II Instrument.

Objective: Numerous clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been developed since its outbreak. To date, however, the methodological quality of these guidelines has not been fully evaluated. Quality evaluation of the guidelines is to facilitate the clinic practitioners in diagnosis and treatment of the COVID-19. Methods: The evaluation was conducted by searching seven databases and government organizations websites (December 2019 to March 2020). Four assessors assessed the quality of the CPGs independently with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. For domain scores (0-100%), >60% were considered of sufficient quality, and >80% of good quality. Results: Of 471 retrieved records, 20 guidelines were included. The median score for the domain of scope and purpose was 56.9% (range 40.3–90.3%) and nine guidelines scored >60%, among which three guidelines scored >80%. The median score for the stakeholder involvement domain was 7% (range 0–65.3%) and only two guidelines scored >60%. Nine guidelines scored 0% in this domain. The median score for the rigour of development domain was 0% (range 0–91.7%) and fourteen guidelines scored 0% in this domain. The median score for the clarity of presentation domain was 30.6% (range 13.9–91.7%) and six guidelines scored >60%, among which three guidelines scored >80%. The median score for the applicability domain was 0% (0–57.3%) and eleven guidelines scored 0% in this domain. The median score for the editorial independence domain was 0% (0–100%): four guidelines scored >80%. Discussions：Three guidelines were recommendable, and four were recommendable with modification in the stakeholder involvement, the rigour of development, and the applicability domains. Our results could contribute to improve development of future guidelines, and affect the reasonable selection and use of guidelines in clinical practice.