Search Strategies

Brian F Leas; Kristen E D’Anci; Andrea J Apter; Tyra Bryant-Stephens; Karen Schoelles; Craig A Umscheid

Appendix ASearch Strategies

Resources Searched

ECRI Institute information specialists searched the following databases for relevant information. Search terms and strategies for each resource appear below.

Table A-1

Databases searched.

Reimbursement

The following Web sites were searched for reimbursement policies: Aetna, Anthem BCBS, BCBS Florida, BCBS of Illinois, BCBS of Texas, BCBS of California, CIGNA, Humana, United Healthcare, Regence.

Hand Searches of Journal and Gray Literature

Journals and supplements maintained in ECRI Institute’s collections were routinely reviewed. Nonjournal publications from professional organizations, private agencies, and government agencies were also screened. Other mechanisms used to retrieve additional relevant information included review of bibliographies/reference lists from peer-reviewed and gray literature. (Gray literature consists of reports, studies, articles, and monographs produced by federal and local government agencies, private organizations, educational facilities, consulting firms, and corporations. These documents do not appear in the peer-reviewed journal literature.)

Topic-Specific Search Terms

The search strategies employed combinations of free-text keywords as well as controlled vocabulary terms including (but not limited to) the following concepts. Strategies for each bibliographic database follow this table.

Table A-2

Topic-specific search terms.

Search Strategies

Embase/Medline

Table A-3

Embase/MEDLINE.

EMBASE.com Syntax

Table

PubMed (PreMEDLINE)

Table A-4

PubMed in process citations.

PubMed Syntax

Table

CINAHL

English language, human, exclude MEDLINE records

Table A-5

CINAHL.

CINAHL Syntax

Table

Publication Details

Copyright

Publisher

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US), Rockville (MD)

NLM Citation

Leas BF, D’Anci KE, Apter AJ, et al. Effectiveness of Indoor Allergen Reduction in Management of Asthma [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2018 Feb. (Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, No. 201.) Appendix A, Search Strategies.

Table A-1Databases searched

Name	Date Limits	Platform/Provider
The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)	Inception [1999] through April 21, 2017	Wiley
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Reviews)	Inception [1999] through April 21, 2017	Wiley
Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)	Inception [1981] through April 21, 2017	EBSCOhost
Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (part of the Cochrane Library)	Inception [1999] through April 21, 2017	Wiley
EMBASE (Excerpta Medica)	Inception [1966] through April 21, 2017	Embase.com
Health Technology Assessment Database (HTA) (part of the Cochrane Library)	Inception [1999] through April 21, 2017	Wiley
MEDLINE	Inception [1966] through April 21, 2017	Embase.com
PUBMED (In Process citations)	Inception [1966] through April 21, 2017	NLM
U.K. National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) (part of the Cochrane Library)	Inception [1999] through April 21, 2017	Wiley
Associations and Societies
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology	June 29, 2016	https://www.aaaai.org/
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America	June 30, 2016	http://www.aafa.org/
American Academy of Pediatrics	June 30, 2016	https://www.aap.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology	June 29, 2016	http://acaai.org/
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Technology Assessment Program	June 29, 2016	http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/ta/index.html
American Lung Association	June 29, 2016	http://www.lung.org/
American Public Health Association	June 29, 2016	https://www.apha.org/
American Thoracic Society	June 29, 2016	https://www.thoracic.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	June 28, 2016	https://www.cdc.gov/
Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee	June 30, 2016	https://www.epa.gov/children/childrens-health-protection-advisory-committee-chpac
Global Initiative for Asthma	June 30, 2016	http://ginasthma.org/
National Center for Healthy Housing	June 30, 2016	http://www.nchh.org/
National Academy of Medicine	June 28, 2016	https://nam.edu/
National Environmental Education Foundation	June 30, 2016	https://www.neefusa.org/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute	June 30, 2016	https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
United States Environmental Protection Agency	June 28, 2016	https://www3.epa.gov/
United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences	June 29, 2016	http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
Other Gray Literature Resources
ClinicalTrials.gov	Searched August 1, 2016	NIH
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) - Medicare Coverage Database	Searched August 2, 2016	CMS
ECRI Institute Library Catalog	Searched August 2, 2016	ECRI Institute
ECRI Institute Members Website	Searched August 2, 2016	ECRI Institute
Health Devices	Searched August 2, 2016	ECRI Institute
Healthcare Standards	Searched August 1, 2016	ECRI Institute
Internet	Searched August 3, 2016	Google; Bing
Medscape	Searched June 22, 2016	WebMD
National Guideline Clearinghouse™	Searched August 1, 2016	AHRQ
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, U.K.	Searched August 1, 2016	NHS
TRIP (Turning Research Into Practice) Database	Searched August 4, 2016	Trip Database, Ltd.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including Medical Device databases	Searched August 1, 2016	FDA

Table A-2Topic-specific search terms

Concept	Controlled Vocabulary	Keywords
Asthma	EMBASE (EMTREE) asthma/exp ‘allergic asthma’/exp ‘asthmatic state’/exp ‘extrinsic asthma’/exp ‘intrinsic asthma’/exp ‘mild intermittent asthma’/exp ‘mild persistent asthma’/exp ‘nocturnal asthma’/exp ‘occupational asthma’/exp ‘severe persistent asthma’/exp MEDLINE/PubMed(MeSH) Asthma[mh] CINAHL (MH “Asthma+”) (MH “Asthma, Occupational”)	Asthma*
General Allergy terms	EMBASE (EMTREE) allergen/exp ‘disease exacerbation’/exp ‘environmental exposure’/exp ‘health hazard’/exp MEDLINE/PubMed (MeSH) Allergens[mh] “environmental exposure”[mh] CINAHL (MH “Allergens+”) (MH “Disease Exacerbation”) (MH “Environmental Exposure+”)	Allergen exacerbation exacerbate irritant sensitive sensitivity trigger
Environmental and Household Allergens	EMBASE (EMTREE) ‘airborne particle’/exp cat/exp cockroach/exp dander/exp dog/exp dust/exp household/exp mite/exp mould/exp ‘pest insect’/exp ‘pest organism’/exp ‘pest rodent’/exp ‘pet animal’/exp MEDLINE/PubMed (MeSH) “antigens, dermatophagoides”[mh] cats[mh] cockroaches[mh] dander[mh] “dermatophagoides farina”[mh] “dermatophagoides pteronyssinus”[mh] dogs[mh] dust[mh] fungi[mh] mites[mh] “mite infestations”[mh] pets[mh] “particulate matter”[mh] CINAHL (MH “Cats”) (MH “Cockroaches”) (MH “Dogs”) (MH “Dust”) (MH “Fungi+”) (MH “Mites”) (MH “Pets”)	apartment cat cats chalk cockroach damp dander dermatophagoides daycare dog dogs dust dust mites fungus fungi home house housing housedust indoor insect mice mite mites moisture mold moldy mould mouldy mouse pet pets pest pests residence residential roach rodent school
Environmental Interventions	EMBASE (EMTREE) ‘air filter’/exp bed/exp cleaning/exp ‘environmental sanitation’/exp ‘risk reduction’/exp vacuum/exp ‘pests and pest control’/exp ‘pest control’/exp ‘indoor residual spraying’/exp MEDLINE/PubMed (MeSH) “air filters”[mh] beds[mh] housekeeping[mh] “insect control”[mh] sanitation[mh] vacuum[mh] “pest control”[mh] “rodent control”[mh] ventilation[mh] CINAHL (MH “Air Filters”) (MH “Beds and Mattresses+”) (MH “Home Maintenance”) (MH “Pest Control”) (MH “Sanitation+”) (MH “Vacuum”) (MH “Ventilation+”)	air filter air filtration air purification allergen reduction bath bathe bathing bed beds bedding clean cleaning comforter cover covering covers dehumidifier dehumidify duct cleaning duvet encase exterminate fabric feather futon HEPA high efficiency particulate arrestance hypoallergenic insulation launder laundering laundry linen mattress pet removal pet bathing pillow reduce sanitation sanitize sheet spray spraying sun sunlight remove removal vacuum ventilation wash washing wipe wiping
Carpet/Flooring	EMBASE (EMTREE) building/exp MEDLINE/PubMed (MeSH) “Floors and floorcoverings”[mh] CINAHL (MH “Floors and Floorcoverings”)	carpet* floor* rug rugs wood*

Table A-3Embase/MEDLINE

Set Number	Concept	Search Statement
1	Asthma	asthma/exp OR ‘allergic asthma’/exp OR ‘asthmatic state’/exp OR ‘extrinsic asthma’/exp OR ‘intrinsic asthma’/exp OR ‘mild intermittent asthma’/exp OR ‘mild persistent asthma’/exp OR ‘nocturnal asthma’/exp OR ‘occupational asthma’/exp OR ‘severe persistent asthma’/exp OR asthma*:ti,ab,de

2	Environmental Allergens	((‘allergen’/exp OR ‘environmental exposure’/exp OR ‘health hazard’/exp OR ‘disease exacerbation’/exp OR allerg* OR irritant* OR trigger* OR exacerbat* OR sensitiv) AND (‘airborne particle’/exp OR ‘cat’/exp OR ‘cockroach’/exp OR ‘dander’/exp OR ‘dog’/exp OR ‘dust’/exp OR ‘household’/exp OR ‘mite’/exp OR ‘mould’/exp OR ‘pest insect’/exp OR ‘pest organism’/exp OR ‘pest rodent’/exp OR ‘pet animal’/exp OR cat OR cats OR cockroach OR housedust* OR roach* OR damp* OR dander OR dermatophagoide* OR daycare OR dog OR dogs OR dust* OR home* OR house* OR indoor* OR insect* OR mite OR mites OR mold OR mould OR moldy OR mouldy OR mouse OR mice OR pet OR pets OR pest OR pests OR rodent* OR school* OR moist* OR fungus OR fungi OR chalk*))
2	Household Allergens	OR ((‘household’/exp OR daycare OR home* OR house* OR indoor* OR residence OR residential OR apartment* OR housing) AND (‘airborne particle’/exp OR ‘cat’/exp OR ‘cockroach’/exp OR ‘dander’/exp OR ‘dog’/exp OR ‘dust’/exp OR ‘mite’/exp OR ‘mould’/exp OR ‘pest insect’/exp OR ‘pest organism’/exp OR ‘pest rodent’/exp OR ‘pet animal’/exp OR cat OR cats OR cockroach* OR housedust* OR roach* OR damp* OR dander OR dermatophagoide* OR dog OR dogs OR dust* OR insect* OR mite OR mites OR mold OR mould OR moldy OR mouldy OR mouse OR mice OR pet OR pets OR pest OR pests OR rodent* OR school* OR moist* OR fungus OR fungi OR chalk*))

3	Environmental Interventions	(‘air filter’/exp OR bed/exp OR cleaning/exp OR ‘environmental sanitation’/exp OR vacuum/exp OR ‘pests and pest control’/exp OR ‘pest control’/exp OR ‘indoor residual spraying’/exp) OR (air NEAR/2 (clean* OR filter* OR filtrat* OR purif)) OR ventilat OR insulat* OR (duct* NEAR/2 clean) OR dehumid OR bed OR beds OR bedding OR futon* OR clean* OR comforter* OR cover OR covers OR covering* OR duvet* OR encase* OR feather* OR linen* OR fabric OR pillow* OR mattress* OR sanita* OR sanitis* OR sanitiz* OR sheet* OR vacuum* OR sun OR sunlight* OR hypoallergenic OR remove OR removal OR bath* OR exterminat* OR spray* OR ((allergen OR pet OR pets OR pest) NEAR/5 (reduc OR avoid* OR eliminat*)) OR wipe OR wiping OR launder OR laundering OR laundry OR hepa OR ‘high-efficiency particulate arrestance’ OR ‘high efficiency particulate arrestance’ OR wash OR washing

4	Carpet/Flooring Removal	building/exp OR (carpet* OR floor* OR rug OR rugs OR wood*):ab,ti,de

5	Combine sets	1 AND 2 AND 3

6	Combine sets	1 AND 4

7	Combine sets	5 OR 6

8	Remove unwanted publication types	7 NOT (abstract:nc OR annual:nc OR book/de OR ‘case report’/de OR ‘case study’/de OR conference:nc OR ‘conference abstract’:it OR ‘conference paper’/de OR ‘conference paper’:it OR ‘conference proceeding’:pt OR ‘conference review’:it OR congress:nc OR editorial/de OR editorial:it OR erratum/de OR letter:it OR note/de OR note:it OR meeting:nc OR sessions:nc OR ‘short survey’/de OR symposium:nc)

9	Controlled study filter	8 AND (‘randomized controlled trial’/exp OR ‘randomized controlled trial’ OR ‘randomization’/exp OR ‘randomization’ OR ‘double blind procedure’/exp OR ‘double blind procedure’ OR ‘single blind procedure’/exp OR ‘single blind procedure’ OR ‘placebo’/exp OR ‘placebo’ OR ‘latin square design’/exp OR ‘latin square design’ OR ‘crossover procedure’/exp OR ‘crossover procedure’ OR ‘triple blind procedure’/exp OR ‘triple blind procedure’ OR ‘controlled study’/exp OR ‘controlled study’ OR ‘clinical trial’/exp OR ‘clinical trial’ OR ‘comparative study’/exp OR ‘comparative study’ OR ‘cohort analysis’/exp OR ‘cohort analysis’ OR ‘follow up’/exp OR ‘follow up’ OR ‘intermethod comparison’/exp OR ‘intermethod comparison’ OR ‘parallel design’/exp OR ‘parallel design’ OR ‘control group’/exp OR ‘control group’ OR ‘prospective study’/exp OR ‘prospective study’ OR ‘retrospective study’/exp OR ‘retrospective study’ OR ‘case control study’/exp OR ‘case control study’ OR ‘major clinical study’/exp OR ‘major clinical study’ OR ‘evaluation study’/exp OR ‘evaluation study’ OR random:de OR random:ti OR placebo* OR (singl* OR doubl* OR tripl* OR trebl* AND (dummy OR ‘blind’/exp OR blind OR sham)) OR ‘latin square’ OR isrctn* OR actrn* OR (nct* NOT nct))

10	Systematic Review/Meta-analysis filter	8 AND (‘research synthesis’ OR pooled OR ‘systematic review’/exp OR ‘systematic review’ OR ‘meta analysis’/exp OR ‘meta analysis’ OR ((‘evidence base’ OR ‘evidence based’/exp OR ‘evidence based’ OR methodol* OR systematic OR quantitative* OR studies OR search*) AND (‘review’/exp OR ‘review’ OR ‘review’/it)))

11	Combine Sets	9 OR 10

12	Apply Limits	11 AND (‘human’/de OR [adolescent]/lim OR [adult]/lim OR [aged]/lim OR [child]/lim OR [infant]/lim OR [middle aged]/lim OR [newborn]/lim OR [preschool]/lim OR [school]/lim OR [very elderly]/lim OR [young adult]/lim)

*	=	truncation character (wildcard)
NEAR/n	=	search terms within a specified number (n) of words from each other in any order
NEXT/n	=	search terms within a specified number (n) of words from each other in the order specified
/	=	search as a subject heading
exp	=	“explodes” controlled vocabulary term (e.g., expands search to all more specific related terms in the vocabulary’s hierarchy)
mj	=	denotes a term that has been searched as a major subject heading
:de	=	search in the descriptors field (controlled terms and keywords)
:lnk	=	floating subheading
/lim	=	limiter
:it,pt.	=	source item or publication type
:ti.	=	limit to title
:ti,ab.	=	limit to title and abstract fields

Table A-4PubMed in process citations

Set Number	Concept	Search Statement
1	Asthma[mh] OR asthma*	Asthma[mh] OR asthma*

2	Environmental Allergens	(“Allergens”[Mesh] OR “Environmental Exposure”[Mesh] OR allerg[tiab] OR irritant[tiab] OR trigger[tiab] OR exacerbat[tiab] OR sensitiv[tiab]) AND (“Particulate Matter”[Mesh] OR “Cats”[Mesh] OR “Dander”[Mesh] OR “Dogs”[Mesh] OR “Cockroaches”[Mesh] OR “Dust”[Mesh] OR “Antigens, Dermatophagoides”[Mesh] OR “Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus”[Mesh] OR “Dermatophagoides farinae”[Mesh] OR “Mites”[Mesh] OR “Mite Infestations”[Mesh] OR “Fungi”[Mesh] OR “Pets”[Mesh] OR cat[tiab] OR cats[tiab] OR cockroach[tiab] OR housedust[tiab] OR roach[tiab] OR damp[tiab] OR dander[tiab] OR dermatophagoide[tiab] OR daycare[tiab] OR dog[tiab] OR dogs[tiab] OR dust[tiab] OR home[tiab] OR house[tiab] OR indoor[tiab] OR insect[tiab] OR mite[tiab] OR mites[tiab] OR mold[tiab] OR mould[tiab] OR moldy[tiab] OR mouldy[tiab] OR mouse[tiab] OR mice[tiab] OR pet[tiab] OR pets[tiab] OR pest[tiab] OR pests[tiab] OR rodent[tiab] OR school[tiab] OR moist[tiab] OR fungus[tiab] OR fungi[tiab] OR chalk*[tiab])
2	Household Allergens	OR (daycare OR home* OR house* OR indoor* OR residence OR residential OR apartment* OR housing) AND(“Particulate Matter”[Mesh] OR “Cats”[Mesh] OR “Dander”[Mesh] OR “Dogs”[Mesh] OR “Cockroaches”[Mesh] OR “Dust”[Mesh] OR “Antigens, Dermatophagoides”[Mesh] OR “Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus”[Mesh] OR “Dermatophagoides farinae”[Mesh] OR “Mites”[Mesh] OR “Mite Infestations”[Mesh] OR “Fungi”[Mesh] OR “Pets”[Mesh] OR cat[tiab] OR cats[tiab] OR cockroach[tiab] OR housedust[tiab] OR roach[tiab] OR damp[tiab] OR dander[tiab] OR dermatophagoide[tiab] OR dog[tiab] OR dogs[tiab] OR dust[tiab] OR insect[tiab] OR mite[tiab] OR mites[tiab] OR mold[tiab] OR mould[tiab] OR moldy[tiab] OR mouldy[tiab] OR mouse[tiab] OR mice[tiab] OR pet[tiab] OR pets[tiab] OR pest[tiab] OR pests[tiab] OR rodent[tiab] OR school[tiab] OR moist[tiab] OR fungus[tiab] OR fungi[tiab] OR chalk*[tiab])

3	Environmental Interventions	“Air Filters”[Mesh] OR “Beds”[Mesh] OR “Housekeeping”[Mesh] OR “Sanitation”[Mesh] OR “Vacuum”[Mesh] OR “Pest Control”[Mesh] OR “Insect Control”[Mesh] OR “Rodent Control”[Mesh] OR ventilation[Mesh] OR (air[tiab] AND (clean[tiab] OR filter[tiab] OR filtrat[tiab] OR purif[tiab])) OR ventilat[tiab] OR insulat[tiab] OR (duct[tiab] AND clean[tiab]) OR dehumid[tiab] OR bed[tiab] OR futon[tiab] OR clean[tiab] OR comforter[tiab] OR cover[tiab] OR covers[tiab] OR covering[tiab] OR duvet[tiab] OR encase[tiab] OR feather[tiab] OR linen[tiab] OR fabric[tiab] OR pillow[tiab] OR mattress[tiab] OR sanita[tiab] OR sanitis[tiab] OR sanitiz[tiab] OR sheet[tiab] OR vacuum[tiab] OR hypoallergenic[tiab] OR exterminat[tiab] OR spray[tiab] OR sun[tiab] [tiab] OR sunlight[tiab] OR bath[tiab] OR ((allergen[tiab] OR pet[tiab] OR pets[tiab] OR pest[tiab]) AND (reduc[tiab] OR avoid[tiab] OR eliminat*[tiab] OR remove OR removal)) OR wipe[tiab] OR wiping[tiab] OR launder[tiab] OR laundering[tiab] OR laundry[tiab] OR hepa[tiab] OR ‘high-efficiency particulate arrestance’[tiab] OR ‘high efficiency particulate arrestance’[tiab] OR wash[tiab] OR washing[tiab]

4	Carpet/Flooring removal	“Floors and Floorcoverings”[Mesh] OR (carpet[tiab] OR floor[tiab] OR rug[tiab] OR rugs[tiab] OR wood*[tiab])

5	Combine sets	1 AND 2 AND 3

6	Combine sets	1 AND 4

7	Combine sets	5 OR 6

8	Remove unwanted publication types	7 NOT (case reports[pt] OR comment[pt] OR editorial[pt] OR letter[pt] OR news[pt] OR “Textbooks” [pt] OR “Book Reviews”[pt]OR “Book Illustrations”[pt] OR book OR books OR textbook*)

9	In process citations	8 AND (“inprocess”[sb] OR publisher[sb] OR pubmednotmedline[sb])

*	=	truncation character (wildcard)
[mh]/[MesH]	=	controlled vocabulary term
[sb]	=	subset
[ti]	=	limit to title field
[tiab]	=	limit to title and abstract fields
[tw]	=	text word

Table A-5CINAHL

Set Number	Concept	Search Statement
1	Asthma	(MH “Asthma+”) OR (MH “Asthma, Occupational”) OR asthma*
2	Household allergens	((MH “Allergens+”) OR (MH “Disease Exacerbation”) OR (MH “Environmental Exposure+”) OR allerg* OR irritant* OR trigger* OR exacerbat* OR sensitiv) AND ((MH “Dogs”) OR (MH “Cats”) OR (MH “Pets”) OR (MH “Cockroaches”) OR (MH “Dust”) OR (MH “Mites”) OR (MH “Fungi+”) OR cat OR cats OR cockroach OR housedust* OR roach* OR damp* OR dander OR dermatophagoide* OR daycare OR dog OR dogs OR dust* OR home* OR house* OR indoor* OR insect* OR mite OR mites OR mold OR mould OR moldy OR mouldy OR mouse OR mice OR pet OR pets OR pest OR pests OR rodent* OR school* OR moist* OR fungus OR fungi OR chalk*)
3	Environmental Interventions/Household Allergens	((MH “Air Filters”) OR (MH “Beds and Mattresses+”) OR (MH “Home Maintenance”) OR (MH “Sanitation+”) OR (MH “Vacuum”) OR (MH “Pest Control”) OR (MH “Ventilation+”) OR (air AND (clean* OR filter* OR filtrat* OR purif)) OR ventilat OR insulat* OR (duct* AND clean) OR dehumid OR bed OR beds OR bedding OR futon* OR clean* OR comforter* OR cover OR covers OR covering* OR duvet* OR encase* OR feather* OR linen* OR fabric OR pillow* OR mattress* OR sanita* OR sanitis* OR sanitiz* OR sheet* OR vacuum* OR sun OR sunlight* OR hypoallergenic OR remove OR removal OR bath* OR exterminat* OR spray* OR ((allergen OR pet OR pets OR pest) AND (reduc OR avoid* OR eliminat*)) OR wipe OR wiping OR launder OR laundering OR laundry OR hepa OR “high-efficiency particulate arrestance” OR “high efficiency particulate arrestance” OR wash OR washing
4	Carpet/Flooring Removal	(MH “Floors and Floorcoverings”) OR carpet* OR floor* OR rug OR rugs OR wood*
5	Combine sets Key Question 1	1 AND 2 AND 3
6	Combine sets Key Question 2	1 AND 4
7	Combine sets Key Question 1 OR Key Question 2	5 OR 6
8	Remove Medline records/limit to academic journals

…+	=	explode
*	=	truncation character (wildcard)
Nn	=	search terms within a specified number (n) of words from each other in any order
TI	=	limit to title field
AB	=	limit to title and abstract fields
MH	=	MeSH heading
MJ	=	MeSH heading designated as major topic
PT	=	publication type