Methods

SIGN 171: Management of diabetes in pregnancy was developed according to the 2019 edition of SIGN's methodology manual, SIGN 50.

This toolkit was developed by SIGN as quick reference guide to the full guideline. The content was selected and approved by members of the guideline development group. 

The evidence base for this guideline was synthesised in accordance with SIGN methodology. Evidence was drawn from NICE clinical guideline NG3 on diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period and from a systematic review conducted by SIGN. Evidence identified by NICE covered the search range 1946–2014.

A systematic review of the literature was carried out using an explicit search strategy devised by an Information Scientist. Databases searched include Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. The year range covered was 2015–2022. Internet searches were carried out on various websites for relevant evidence-based resources (NICE, GIN, TRIP, CADTH, INAHTA). The main searches were supplemented by material identified by individual members of the development group. Each of the selected papers was evaluated by two Information Scientists using standard SIGN methodological checklists before conclusions were considered as evidence by the guideline development group.

Membership of the guideline development group is listed in SIGN 171.

The membership of the guideline development group was confirmed following consultation with the member organisations of SIGN. All members of the guideline development group made declarations of interest. A register of interests is available in the supporting material section for this guideline on the SIGN website.

SIGN 171 is based on a series of structured key questions that define the target population, the intervention, diagnostic test, or exposure under investigation, the comparison(s) used and the outcomes used to measure efficacy, effectiveness, or risk. These questions form the basis of the systematic literature search. 

The list of key questions used is available in Annex 1 of SIGN 171.