Table 7 Recommendation: how to proceed with overlapping systematic reviews on the same topic

1)

Prepare a matrix of studies, exposures and/or outcomes

2)

Select the most appropriate/comprehensive systematic review as “base”

3)

Supplement the “base” with studies included in the other systematic reviews

4)

Compare extractions

5)

Check extractions

6)

Assess risk of bias

7)

Perform tabular/narrative synthesis

8)

Perform meta-analysis, if useful and needed