Analysis of the AUA Guidelines: Strength of Evidence Correlates With Recommendation Levels

INTRODUCTION: As part of its mission to provide the highest standards of clinical care, the AUA publishes guidelines on numerous urological topics. We sought to evaluate the caliber of evidence used establish the currently available AUA guidelines. METHODS: All available AUA guideline statements in 2021 were reviewed for their level of evidence and recommendation strength. Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences between oncological and nononcologic topics, and statements pertinent to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. A multivariate analysis was utilized to identify factors associated with strong recommendations. RESULTS: < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of evidence for the AUA guidelines is not high grade. Additional high-quality urological studies are needed to improve evidence based urological care.