PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator AI-Powered

PRISMA 2020 vs PRISMA 2009 — What Changed?

The PRISMA 2020 statement introduced several significant updates over the original 2009 version. The updated flow diagram now features a two-column layout that separately tracks records from databases/registers and those from other methods such as citation searching, grey literature, and expert consultation. PRISMA 2020 offers four diagram templates instead of one, accommodating new reviews, updated reviews, database-only searches, and searches that include additional sources. The checklist retains 27 items but adds more sub-items reflecting methodological advances, including expanded guidance on synthesis methods, risk of bias assessment, certainty of evidence, and the use of automation tools in the review process.

Components of a PRISMA Flow Diagram

• Identification: Records the total number of records found across all databases, registers, and other sources, along with duplicates removed before screening
• Screening: Documents how many records were screened by title and abstract, and how many were excluded at this stage with broad reasons
• Eligibility: Shows the number of full-text articles retrieved and assessed against inclusion/exclusion criteria, with specific reasons for each exclusion
• Included: Reports the final number of studies included in the qualitative synthesis (systematic review) and, if applicable, the quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis)
• Other Sources (PRISMA 2020): A second column tracking records from websites, citation searching, organizational reports, and expert recommendations
• Exclusion Reasons: Detailed boxes listing specific reasons for excluding studies at the full-text eligibility stage, such as wrong population, wrong intervention, or wrong outcome

How to Create a PRISMA Flow Diagram

Start by recording the number of records identified from each database searched (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science). Note duplicates removed using reference management software. Track records through title and abstract screening, documenting exclusions. Record how many full-text articles were retrieved and assessed for eligibility, listing specific reasons for each exclusion. Finally, report the number of studies included in qualitative and quantitative syntheses. Our AI-powered generator simplifies this process: enter your review numbers and selection criteria, choose the diagram type that matches your review methodology, and generate a publication-ready PRISMA 2020 flow diagram in seconds.

PRISMA in Different Types of Reviews

• Systematic Reviews: The standard PRISMA 2020 flow diagram with all four phases, required by journals like The Lancet, BMJ, and Cochrane Reviews
• Meta-Analyses: Extended PRISMA diagram that distinguishes between studies in qualitative synthesis and those included in quantitative pooling with forest plots
• Scoping Reviews: PRISMA-ScR (Scoping Reviews extension) adapts the flow diagram for broader, exploratory reviews with a charting data stage
• Rapid Reviews: Streamlined PRISMA diagram reflecting abbreviated screening processes, often with single-reviewer screening noted
• Living Systematic Reviews: PRISMA flow diagrams updated periodically as new evidence is identified and incorporated into the review
• Network Meta-Analyses: PRISMA-NMA extension includes additional reporting for indirect comparisons and network geometry

Common PRISMA Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the outdated PRISMA 2009 template when journals now require PRISMA 2020 compliance
• Failing to report the number of records from each individual database before deduplication
• Not distinguishing between records (search results) and reports (publications) and studies (investigations)
• Omitting the second column for other identification methods when grey literature or citation searching was conducted
• Not providing specific reasons for full-text exclusions (e.g., listing only "did not meet criteria" instead of detailed reasons)
• Inconsistent numbers that do not add up across phases of the flow diagram