The Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group Register of Trials (CARIGRT)

About

The CARIGRT is a unique database containing definite, probable and possible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) relevant to the Group's scope and topics. The CARIGRT is developed, maintained and administered by the Information specialist at Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections editorial base as a resource for our review authors. References to trial reports are identified through systematic searches of bibliographic databases, and handsearching of journals and conference abstracts.

Inclusion criteria

Before a reference is added to the CARIGRT, the title, abstract and keywords are checked by the Information Specialist and the record is coded as an RCT or controlled clinical trial (CCT) according to Cochrane's definition. If the study design is unclear from the information available, the record is retained in the CARIGRT until the full-text of the paper can be checked and the study design verified. The CARIGRT includes trials on all types of respiratory infections as well as vaccines. Each reference is coded for condition so it is then possible to limit a search of the CARIGRT to the condition of interest.

Access to the CARIGRT

For authors with restricted access to CARIGRT the Information Specialist can conduct a search of the CARIGRT using a set of keywords agreed with the review authors, and forward the results to the review team. The CARIGRT is also made available to a wider audience through the CENTRAL database on the Cochrane Library. For reviews on conditions not covered by the CARIGRT, the Information Specialist can provide support and advice on how to search CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase instead of the CARIGRT.