Abubakar Munir

EDITORIAL THE PRISMA 2020 STATEMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINE FOR SYSTEMATIC REVIEW-BASED PERSPECTIVES

Introduction

Editorial the prisma 2020 statement: a comprehensive guideline for systematic review-based perspectives. Discover PRISMA 2020, a vital guideline for transparent and complete systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Essential for health sciences & evidence-based policy.

Abstract

The PRISMA 2020 statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) represents a major revision of the earlier 2009 guideline, with the explicit goal of strengthening completeness, transparency, and consistency in the reporting of systematic reviews. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have become indispensable in modern health sciences, enabling researchers and policymakers to synthesize large volumes of primary studies into clear, evidence-based conclusions. They underpin clinical guidelines, inform health policy, and guide future research. Yet their value depends on the clarity, completeness, and transparency of their reporting. Historically, many published reviews have suffered from incomplete or ambiguous descriptions of search strategies, inclusion criteria, study selection processes, and synthesis methods. Such omissions make it difficult for readers to appraise the review’s credibility, replicate its findings, or update it in light of new evidence. Recognizing these shortcomings, the scientific community has developed structured reporting guidelines—most notably the PRISMA statement, first introduced in 2009 (1-3). In March 2021, PRISMA was updated to PRISMA 2020, incorporating advances in methodology, technology, and terminology that have emerged over the past decade. This editorial outlines the rationale, core components, and implications of PRISMA 2020, and formally endorses its adoption for systematic review and meta-analysis submissions to our journal, the International Journal of Pharmacy and Integrated Health Sciences (IJPIHS). The release of PRISMA 2020 also marks a moment of transition within the field. At the same time, the revision highlights the emergence of a new generation of international leaders who now take up the responsibility of advancing and refining the standards for systematic review reporting (4,5).

Review

This editorial effectively introduces and endorses the PRISMA 2020 statement, a critical update to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. The abstract clearly articulates the necessity for such a revision, highlighting the indispensable role of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in health sciences and the historical deficiencies in their reporting that undermine their value. By strengthening completeness, transparency, and consistency, PRISMA 2020 aims to rectify these shortcomings, ensuring that these vital syntheses of evidence remain robust and trustworthy. The International Journal of Pharmacy and Integrated Health Sciences (IJPIHS) takes a commendable stance by formally endorsing its adoption for all relevant submissions. The strength of this editorial lies in its concise yet comprehensive rationale for PRISMA 2020's importance. It underscores how incomplete or ambiguous reporting hinders readers from appraising credibility, replicating findings, or updating reviews, thereby directly impacting evidence-based practice and policy. The update to PRISMA 2020, incorporating advances in methodology, technology, and terminology over the past decade, signals a proactive effort by the scientific community to maintain high standards in an evolving research landscape. This editorial serves as an excellent primer for researchers and reviewers on the core components and implications of the new guideline. By outlining the rationale and components of PRISMA 2020 and mandating its use for journal submissions, this editorial provides clear guidance and sets a high bar for the quality of systematic reviews published within IJPIHS. This commitment to reporting excellence is crucial for enhancing the trustworthiness and utility of published research, ultimately benefiting patients, practitioners, and policymakers. Furthermore, acknowledging the "moment of transition" and the emergence of new leadership responsible for advancing reporting standards adds a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the continuous evolution and refinement of scientific practice. This editorial is a timely and valuable contribution to promoting robust research synthesis.

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