Methodological approaches in the development of clinical guidelines

: Practical guidelines assist the clinical decision-making process in modern medicine. In rheumatology the number of practical guidelines dealing with diagnostics and therapy of rheumatic diseases is also constantly increasing. Methodological standards for guidelines ensure adequate development under consideration of precisely defined structures. Expert recommendations for action (S1) are distinguished from consensus (S2k) or evidence-based (S2e) as well as consensus and evidence-based (S3) guidelines. Levels of evidence categorize available studies by study design. Parameters for the evaluation of guidelines are summarized in the German instrument for the assessment of guidelines (DELBI).