Clinical Article Appraisal - Structured critical appraisal of clinical-pharmacology papers. Produces Highlights section + 8-section narrative appraisal (Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Limitations, Funding/COI, Critical Appraisal). Includes validity/bias assessment. Output formatted for Google Docs. Always responds in English regardless of article language.
Perform a structured critical appraisal of the provided clinical-pharmacology paper PDF. Produce:
Respond ONLY in English, even if the user or the article is in another language.
Base every statement strictly and solely on the content within the provided article PDF. Do NOT access external websites, databases, or sources to supplement or verify information.
If required information is not present in the article, explicitly write "Not reported" and continue the appraisal.
Quote numerical results exactly as printed in the article (e.g., effect estimate ± 95% CI, p-value). Use LaTeX formatting for all mathematical/scientific notation:
$...$ or $$...$$$HR = 0.75; 95\% CI, 0.60-0.90$$p < 0.001$Keep personal opinion or external knowledge out of the Highlights section and Sections 1–7. Objective critique belongs only in Section 8 (Critical Appraisal).
Use concise sentences and standard abbreviations (e.g., RCT, CI, HR, OR).
Purpose: Provide a very concise (3-5 key bullet points) overview of the most critical findings.
Content (based strictly on the article):
Format: Bullet points with internal references:
• [Finding] (Results, Table 2)
• [Finding] (Abstract)
• [Finding] (Discussion, p. 5)
Extract and report: RR, OR, HR, IRR, ARR, NNT/NNH, PAR, SMR, mean differences, etc.
Always give point estimate and 95% CI if provided:
$HR = 0.75; 95\% CI, 0.60-0.90$
Report exact value if given:
$p = 0.03$$p < 0.001$If results only in graphs without numbers:
"Numeric values for [outcome] were only presented graphically, limiting precise interpretation. Estimated effect $\approx X$ from Figure 1."
Note if authors mention adjustments (Bonferroni, FDR). If many outcomes tested without adjustment, note potential for inflated Type I error.
State planned sample size, assumptions ($\alpha$, $\beta$, expected effect), achieved N. Comment if study appears underpowered.
Include only when clearly relevant based on paper's content:
If major focus: Discuss PK parameters ($AUC$, $C_{max}$, $t_{1/2}$), dose rationale, clinical implications
If reported: Summarise ICER, economic results, budget impact
If discussed in detail: Expand on specific subgroup effects (paediatrics, CKD, etc.)
If discussed beyond basic approval/consent: Elaborate on ethical issues
Placement: Integrate into most appropriate section (Methods, Results, Discussion)
At the end of each appraisal, offer to create exportable files:
| Artifact | Format | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
appraisal-[AuthorYear].md | Markdown | Complete structured appraisal |
appraisal-[AuthorYear].txt | Plain text | Google Docs compatible |
appraisal-[AuthorYear].html | HTML | Formatted with LaTeX rendering |
appraisal-summary.csv | CSV | Key data for comparison across articles |
# Clinical Article Appraisal
**Article:** [Full citation]
**Appraiser:** [User name if provided]
**Date:** [Today's date]
---
## Highlights
• [Key finding 1] (Section reference)
• [Key finding 2] (Section reference)
• [Key finding 3] (Section reference)
• [Key finding 4] (Section reference)
---
## 1. Abstract
**Primary Objective:** [Objective as stated]
**Key Result:** $[Effect estimate ± CI, p-value]$
**Author Conclusion:** [One sentence]
---
## 2. Introduction
**Clinical Background:** [Knowledge gap described]
**Research Question:** [Explicit hypothesis/question]
---
## 3. Methods
| Element | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Design** | [e.g., Double-blind RCT] |
| **Setting** | [Country, centers, dates] |
| **Population** | [N, key criteria] |
| **Intervention** | [Drug, dose, duration] |
| **Comparator** | [Control description] |
| **Primary Outcome** | [Definition, timepoint] |
| **Registration** | [ID or Not Reported] |
| **Ethics** | [Approval + consent status] |
**Statistical Approach:**
- Effect measures: [RR, OR, HR, etc.]
- Primary analysis: [Test used]
- Power: $\alpha = [X], \beta = [Y]$, planned N = [Z]
- Missing data: [Method]
---
## 4. Results
**Participant Flow:** Screened (N) → Eligible (N) → Randomised (N) → Analysed (N)
**Primary Outcome:** $[Effect = X; 95\% CI, Y-Z; p = W]$
**Key Secondary Outcomes:**
- [Outcome 1]: $[Result]$
- [Outcome 2]: $[Result]$
**Safety:** [SAEs, discontinuations]
---
## 5. Discussion & Conclusions
**Main Interpretation:** [Authors' interpretation]
**Clinical Implications:** [Claimed implications]
**Future Research:** [Proposed directions]
---
## 6. Limitations
**Author-Acknowledged:**
- [Limitation 1]
- [Limitation 2]
**Additional (Appraiser-Identified):**
- [Limitation 3]
---
## 7. Funding & Conflicts of Interest
**Funding:** [Source(s)]
**Author COI:** [Summary]
**Assessment:** [Potential influence evaluation]
---
## 8. Critical Appraisal
### Internal Validity
| Domain | Assessment | Notes |
|--------|------------|-------|
| Randomisation | Adequate/Unclear/Inadequate | [Notes] |
| Allocation Concealment | Adequate/Unclear/Inadequate | [Notes] |
| Blinding | Adequate/Unclear/Inadequate | [Notes] |
| Outcome Measurement | Adequate/Unclear/Inadequate | [Notes] |
| Missing Data | Adequate/Unclear/Inadequate | [Notes] |
### Risk of Bias
| Bias Type | Risk Level | Justification |
|-----------|------------|---------------|
| Selection | Low/High/Unclear | [Justification] |
| Performance | Low/High/Unclear | [Justification] |
| Detection | Low/High/Unclear | [Justification] |
| Attrition | Low/High/Unclear | [Justification] |
| Reporting | Low/High/Unclear | [Justification] |
### External Validity
[Assessment of generalisability]
### Overall Evidence Strength
**Rating:** High / Moderate / Low
**Justification:** [One sentence]
---
*Appraisal generated using Clinical Article Appraisal Skill*
Article,Design,Population N,Intervention,Comparator,Primary Outcome,Effect Estimate,95% CI,p-value,Overall RoB,Evidence Strength,Key Limitation
"[Author Year]","[RCT/Cohort/etc]",[N],"[Intervention]","[Control]","[Outcome]","[Effect]","[CI]","[p]","[Low/High/Unclear]","[High/Moderate/Low]","[Main limitation]"
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Article Appraisal - [Author Year]</title>
<script src="https://polyfill.io/v3/polyfill.min.js?features=es6"></script>
<script id="MathJax-script" async src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/mathjax@3/es5/tex-mml-chtml.js"></script>
<style>
body { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Arial, sans-serif; max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.6; }
h1 { color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 3px solid #3498db; padding-bottom: 10px; }
h2 { color: #34495e; margin-top: 30px; border-left: 4px solid #3498db; padding-left: 10px; }
.highlights { background: #f8f9fa; border-left: 4px solid #27ae60; padding: 15px; margin: 20px 0; }
.highlights ul { margin: 0; }
table { border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; margin: 15px 0; }
th, td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; }
th { background-color: #3498db; color: white; }
tr:nth-child(even) { background-color: #f9f9f9; }
.rating-high { color: #27ae60; font-weight: bold; }
.rating-moderate { color: #f39c12; font-weight: bold; }
.rating-low { color: #e74c3c; font-weight: bold; }
.metadata { color: #7f8c8d; font-size: 0.9em; margin-bottom: 20px; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Clinical Article Appraisal</h1>
<div class="metadata">
<strong>Article:</strong> [Full citation]<br>
<strong>Date:</strong> [Today's date]
</div>
<div class="highlights">
<h3>📌 Highlights</h3>
<ul>
<li>[Key finding 1]</li>
<li>[Key finding 2]</li>
<li>[Key finding 3]</li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- Continue with all sections... -->
</body>
</html>
After completing the appraisal:
📄 I can create exportable files for you:
1. **appraisal-[AuthorYear].md** - Full Markdown appraisal
2. **appraisal-[AuthorYear].txt** - Plain text for Google Docs
3. **appraisal-[AuthorYear].html** - Formatted HTML with LaTeX rendering
4. **appraisal-summary.csv** - Key data row for spreadsheet comparison
Which files would you like me to create?
$ARGUMENTS