Consideration of sex and gender in European clinical practice guidelines in internal medicine: A systematic review protocol

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are a powerful instrument to ensure evidence-based practice in clinical diagnostics and disease management. As knowledge about the impact of sex and gender on health and disease is emerging, the need for its transfer into clinical practice is becoming more urgent. However, a systematic evaluation of the incorporation of sex-related and gender-related knowledge into CPGs in Europe is currently not available. This systematic review will fill this gap. We will analyse the operationalisation of sex and gender in internal medicine CPGs in Europe and the translation of this information into tailored recommendations. The results will offer a baseline assessment to inform prospective sex-sensitive and gender-sensitive guideline development.