Evidence Review
Guideline Writing Committee (GWC) members review the
literature; weigh the quality of evidence for or against
particular tests, treatments, or procedures; and estimate
expected health outcomes. In developing recommendations,
the GWC uses evidence-based methodologies that
are based on all available data (4–6). Literature searches
focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) but also
include registries, nonrandomized comparative and
descriptive studies, case series, cohort studies, systematic
reviews, and expert opinion. Only selected references are
cited.