Living Systematic Review

A living systematic review (LSR) is a dynamic, continuously updated evidence synthesis that monitors emerging literature and incorporates new studies as they become available, rather than being a static document published once. Formalized by Elliott et al. (2017) and adopted by the Cochrane Collaboration, living systematic reviews maintain currency in rapidly evolving fields by using prospective searches and regular review cycles (monthly, quarterly, or trigger-based). Rather than waiting 12-18 months for a complete systematic review only to find it outdated by new trials, living reviews enable real-time evidence synthesis—particularly valuable during pandemics, in rapidly advancing fields (oncology, immunology), and for volatile policy questions where new evidence frequently shifts recommendations.