ObjectiveTo analyze the current situation of adaptation guidelines. MethodsCBM, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, PubMed, EMbase, GIN, SIGN, NICE and AHRQ databases were electronically searched to collect studies related to adaptation guidelines from inception to August 31th, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Descriptive analysis was then conducted on the general situation of the adaptation guidelines. ResultsA total of 83 studies were included, involving 63 full-text studies, 16 methodological studies and 4 secondary studies. The quantity of published articles of the adapted guidelines had an overall upward trend, and 48.39% of the adapted guidelines were published in UK-hosted journals. 51.81% of the adapted guidelines reported receiving funding or project funding during the development process, and 67.46% reported information of conflict of interests. Among the 33 adaptation guidelines published in the past five years, 33.34% reported their methodology used ADAPTE, 6.1% reported their methodology used GRADE-Adolopment, and 60.56% did not report the adaptation method. ConclusionsAt present, the international research on the adapted guideline is extensive, however, it is still in its infancy in China. The adaptation guideline is also required to be based on a theoretical framework, standardize the development of methodology, and ensure the quality of the adaptation guideline.