A GP was part of the guideline development team in two guidelines: NICE and NHG.
In two guidelines (WGO, CPS), the evidence for the assigned symptoms for assessing dehydration status is not stated.
Clarity/presentation was effectively addressed in three out of six guidelines, scope/purpose and rigour of development in two guidelines, editorial independence in one guideline, and stakeholder involvement and applicability in none.
Education and weight loss was recommended in four guidelines [ 6, 7, 9, 10] (Table 12), although the term 'education' was clearly defined in only one guideline [ 9].
Symptomatic slow-acting drugs were recommended in certain guidelines: glucosamine and chondroitin were recommended in two guidelines [ 6, 9], while avocado/soya unsaponifiables and diacerein were recommended in one guideline [ 6] (Table 7).
In one guideline panel, every panel member was paid by a drug manufacturer, and that manufacturer's drug was recommended by the panel [81].
While 11 guidelines designed differentiated clinical outcomes as therapeutic goals in asymptomatic patients (e.g. improvement in prognosis and hospitalization), three guidelines ranked evidence-level highest for a mortality reduction in this subpopulation, and two guidelines used ambiguous formulations.
In contrast to this, three guidelines stated that delivery should be induced after approximately 38 weeks of gestation [ 16, 17, 29, 31].
The scope and purpose of the guideline were well described in all eight guidelines; the score in both countries was 100%.
On the other hand, it is, to some extent, understandable that research on populations and communities with limited resources were mentioned in only two guidelines, as the current guidelines that appear in the GCC countries do not really lack resources.
