2.2. Search strategy
A systematic literature review was conducted in order to identify
all relevant literature reviews on each dimension of humanistic
burden of schizophrenia. Search strategies with different search
terms for each dimension of humanistic burden were defined and
the following databases were used: Embase, Medline, Cochrane
library, DIMDI, and grey literature, including Google Scholar and
the ISPOR website. We expanded these initial database search results
by screening the bibliographies of all relevant reports and by
performing electronic searches for further relevant articles by the
first author of any identified study.
The initial database search was conducted by two researchers
who then independently screened titles, abstracts and, where
appropriate, the full text of all identified references to minimize the
possibility of discarding potentially relevant reports. Potential references
were included if they were literature reviews considering
at least one dimension of the humanistic burden of patients with
schizophrenia. There was no restriction on language.