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Search Blocks in Line Format (EMA AE Filter) – Ovid MEDLINE (Part 2)

A look at the relative merits of search filters in a paragraph format vis-à-vis a line-by-line format, using as an example the EMA AE Filter for Ovid MEDLINE (Part 2).

Ovid MEDLINE

Ovid Training Team

2025-02-21

46 visits

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 78 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 #74 above, i.e. or/1-73.
  • 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 "Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions"/

adverse drug reaction.ti,ab,kf.

ae.xs.

adverse.ti,ab,kf.

side effects.ti,ab,kf.

side effect.ti,ab,kf.

exp drug overdose/

drug overdose.ti,ab,kf.

drug overdose*.ti,ab,kf.

exp drug misuse/

drug misuse.ti,ab,kf.

misus*.ti,ab,kf.

exp Substance-Related Disorders/

drug abuse.ti,ab,kf.

substance abuse.ti,ab,kf.

abus*.ti,ab,kf.

exp pregnancy/

pregnancy.ti,ab,kf.

pregnan*.ti,ab,kf.

exp Pregnancy Complications/

exp Lactation/

exp Breast Feeding/

exp Milk, Human/ and exp Bodily Secretions/

exp Fertility/

exp Reproduction/

exp Fetus/

exp Embryonic Structures/

Teratogens/

Teratogenesis/

terato*.ti,ab,kf.

drug efficacy.ti,ab,kf.

exp Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/

exp Medication Errors/

exp Death/

death*.ti,ab,kf.

Fatal Outcome/

fatal*.ti,ab,kf.

exp Drug Interactions/

Drug Interaction*.ti,ab,kf.

Carcinogens/

carcinogen*.ti,ab,kf.

Mutagens/

Mutagenesis/

mutagen*.ti,ab,kf.

exp "Off-Label Use"/

exp Occupational Exposure/

to.fs.

toxic*.ti,ab,kf.

pharmacotox*.ti,ab,kf.

Neurotoxicity Syndromes/

Neurotox*.ti,ab,kf.

Cardiotoxicity/

Cardiotox*.ti,ab,kf.

nephrotox*.ti,ab,kf.

immunotox*.ti,ab,kf.

hepatotox*.ti,ab,kf.

cytotox*.ti,ab,kf.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/

immunocytotox*.ti,ab,kf.

intoxication.ti,ab,kf.

exp "Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities"/

exp Treatment Failure/

case reports.pt.

case report*.ti,ab,kf.

exp Environmental Exposure/

exp Contraindications/

exp "Wounds and Injuries"/

Suicide/

suicide.ti,ab,kf.

exp Poisoning/

exp *drug tolerance/

exp Drug Resistance/

exp Substance-Related Disorders/

or/1-73

(in process or medline).st.

74 and 75

exp "humans"/ or "humans".af. or "human".af.

76 and 77

 

Launch Search

Reviewers

Primary: Michael Fanning

Secondary: Charlotte Viken

Review Date: 2025-02-21

Expiry Date: 2026-02-21

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
MEDLINE Search Strategies for Substance Groups 1-309, and Herbal Substance Groups 1-100
1 April 2024 EMA/130770/2024 Data Analytics and Methods Taskforce
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/monitoring-medical-literature-entry-relevant-information-eudravigilance-database-european-medicines-agency-medline_en.pdf

Permissions: © European Medicines Agency, 2024. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

OvidGO!
Supplementary Documentation
OG-FS_EMA_AE_Filter_SF_Translation_Ovid-MEDLINE_Suppl.Info.21.02.2025.pdf


Skills Videos
Translating a search from Pubmed into Ovid MEDLINE

 

Citation:

OvidGO! Portal. Focused Searches: Search Blocks in Paragraph Format (EMA AE Filter) – Ovid MEDLINE (Part 2) [Internet]. London (UK): Ovid Training Team (Editors); 2025 [updated 25 February 2025; cited 28 February 2025]. Available from: https://tools.ovid.com/ovidgo/searches/view.php?id=86