# The importance of incorporation of real-world evidence into the guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia

## TL;DR

This paper argues for including real-world evidence in schizophrenia treatment guidelines to improve their accuracy and relevance.

## Contribution

The paper proposes integrating real-world evidence with clinical trial data as the highest level of evidence for schizophrenia treatment guidelines.

## Key findings

- Meta-analyses show randomized trial results in schizophrenia align with real-world outcomes.
- Current guideline grading systems do not include real-world evidence.
- Incorporating real-world evidence could enhance treatment recommendations.

## Abstract

The quantity and quality of real-world data and real-world evidence in schizophrenia research are at a high level. However, these results are not included in the grading systems used to develop treatment guidelines for schizophrenia. A meta-analysis and a network meta-analysis have independently provided evidence that the results of randomized clinical trials in schizophrenia adequately translate to real-world settings. The authors propose the incorporation of a synthesis of evidence derived from analyses of randomized controlled trials and real-world data as a novel and highest level of evidence in grading instruments used to develop treatment guidelines for schizophrenia.