Background
Generally speaking, search filters, whether displayed on screen or reported in scientific literature come in three formats. These are, firstly the “line-by-line” format where search expressions are entered or displayed as a list, one on top of the other, literally line by line. The second format, here referred to as the “paragraph” format has all the search expressions bundled into a single line that appears as a block of text. This provides for a more compact display, and can in turn, be also run as a single line search. Thirdly, the “hybrid” format describes search strategies that contain a mixture of line-by-line and paragraph format search expressions.
Opting for one format over another depends upon many factors. These vary from available screen space to the capacity of the reporting vehicle, e.g. a printed journal, to simply personal choice.
The purpose of this Focused Search is to raise a note of caution when using the paragraph format without firstly verifying whether or not the search expressions (a). run in the target database, and (b). are relevant to the task at hand. The AE Filter as shown above, unpacked, extends to 60 lines listed line-by-line. This way the relative presence of the terms and phrases can be more easily assessed. As too can be the balance between free term and thesaurus-based searches, and with respect to the latter, whether they have been exploded. Using Ovid’s Edit function (Actions / More / Edit) a thesaurus expression can have the “exp” command function deleted or added to see what a difference this makes.
It is recommended that your key search filters be saved and stored in both paragraph and line-by-line formats. The former for ease of execution and display. The latter for verification, updating and overall knowledge asset management.
Ovid Trainer Tips
- Command line Syntax: Lists of search expressions can be neatly combined using the OR operator as displayed in line #61 above, i.e. or/1-60.
- Ovid Search History Launcher Tool: Having unpacked a paragraph formatted search using for example, Notepad, the resulting list of search expressions can be easily imported into Ovid using the Ovid Search History Launcher Tool. See https://tools.ovid.com/ovidtools/launcher.html .
- Share Search History: Conversely, searches regardless of format can be exported from Ovid into other applications for eventual re-use, for peer review and reporting purposes. Located in the Search History section of the Ovid interface, the three Share Search History options are, Email All Search History, Copy Search History Link and Copy Search History Details.
Search Stategy
exp adverse drug reaction/
adverse.hw,ab,ti.
side effect.hw,ab,ti.
side effects.hw,ab,ti.
side effect.fs.
exp drug overdose/
overdos*.hw,ab,ti.
exp drug misuse/
misus*.hw,ab,ti.
exp drug abuse/
exp substance abuse/
abus*.hw,ab,ti.
exp pregnancy/
pregnan*.hw,ab,ti.
exp pregnancy complications/
exp lactation/
exp breast feeding/
(exp milk human/ and exp secretion/)
exp fertility/
exp reproduction/
exp fetus/
exp embryo/
terat*.hw,ab,ti.
exp drug efficacy/
exp drug withdrawal/
exp medication error/
exp death/
death*.hw,ab,ti.
fatal*.hw,ab,ti.
exp drug interaction/
exp drug interaction/
exp carcinogenicity/
carcinogen*.hw,ab,ti.
mutagen*.hw,ab,ti.
exp 'off label drug use'/
exp occupational exposure/
exp toxicity/
toxic*.hw,ab,ti.
pharmacotox*.hw,ab,ti.
neurotox*.hw,ab,ti.
cardiotox*.hw,ab,ti.
nephrotox*.hw,ab,ti.
immunotox*.hw,ab,ti.
hepatotox*.hw,ab,ti.
cytotox*.hw,ab,ti.
immunocytotox*.hw,ab,ti.
exp intoxication/
exp congenital disorder/
exp drug treatment failure/
exp case report/
case reports.hw,ab,ti.
exp environmental exposure/
exp treatment contraindication/
exp drug contraindication/
exp injury/
suicide.hw,ab,ti.
exp poisoning/
exp *drug tolerance/
exp *treatment failure/
exp *drug resistance/
exp substance-related disorders/
exp treatment failure/
exp drug resistance/
drug resistance.fs.
or/1-64
Reviewers
Primary: Michael Fanning
Secondary: Yvonne van der Vrede
Review Date: 2024-05-08
Expiry Date: 2025-05-08
Original search produced by:
Ovid Training Team
References:
Monitoring of medical literature and the entry of relevant information into the EudraVigilance database by the European Medicines Agency.
EMBASE Search Strategies for Substance Groups 1-309, and Herbal Substance Groups 1-100
1 April 2024 EMA/517840/2015 Rev 5* Data Analytics and Methods Taskforce
https://www.ema.europa.eu/system/files/documents/other/mlm-search-strategies-april-2024-embase_en.pdf
Note on Permissions: © European Medicines Agency, 2024. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
OvidGO!
Focused Searches - Supplementary Documentation - Example 11
Search Filter Translation from Embase.com to Embase on Ovid, Version: 22nd April 2024
Skills Videos
Translating a search from Pubmed into Ovid MEDLINE
Citation:
Ovid Customer Support, Search Blocks in Line Format (EMA AE Filter) – Embase (Part 2), OvidGO! / Focused Searches Portal, Version: 8th May 2024. Visited: < Insert Date >.