Meta-analysis of clinical trials as a scientific discipline. II: Replicate variability and comparison of studies that agree and disagree
- PMID: 3423497
- DOI: 10.1002/sim.4780060704
Meta-analysis of clinical trials as a scientific discipline. II: Replicate variability and comparison of studies that agree and disagree
Abstract
The replicate variability of meta-analyses of controlled clinical trials has been assessed as a measure of scientific precision. 46 of 91 known meta-analysis papers were divided into 20 cohorts of studies of the same therapies. Ten cohorts contained meta-analyses with different statistical conclusions; 14 contained differing clinical conclusions with a wider spread than the statistically differing studies. Possible causes of variability, such as different trials included, different policies regarding the inclusion of non-randomized and unpublished trials, and different statistical methodologies, were not obvious causes of differing conclusions. Further work in this area should include multivariate analyses in order to explore possible interactions in the factors accounting for the variability found in replicate meta-analyses.
Similar articles
-
Resolving conflicting clinical trials: guidelines for meta-analysis.J Clin Epidemiol. 1988;41(5):503-9. doi: 10.1016/0895-4356(88)90053-4. J Clin Epidemiol. 1988. PMID: 3367182
-
Response to letter to the editor from Dr Rahman Shiri: The challenging topic of suicide across occupational groups.Scand J Work Environ Health. 2018 Jan 1;44(1):108-110. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3698. Epub 2017 Dec 8. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2018. PMID: 29218357
-
Issues in comparisons between meta-analyses and large trials.JAMA. 1998 Apr 8;279(14):1089-93. doi: 10.1001/jama.279.14.1089. JAMA. 1998. PMID: 9546568
-
Atypical antipsychotics for disruptive behaviour disorders in children and youths.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;(9):CD008559. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008559.pub2. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Aug 09;8:CD008559. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008559.pub3. PMID: 22972123 Updated. Review.
-
The effectiveness of patient navigation programs for adult cancer patients undergoing treatment: a systematic review.JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2016 Feb;14(2):295-321. doi: 10.11124/jbisrir-2016-2324. JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2016. PMID: 27536800 Review.
Cited by
-
Systematic Reviews in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy: Considerations and Guidance from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Late Effects and Quality of Life Working Committee.Transplant Cell Ther. 2021 May;27(5):380-388. doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2020.12.002. Epub 2021 Jan 28. Transplant Cell Ther. 2021. PMID: 33965174 Free PMC article.
-
Compliance with QUOROM and quality of reporting of overlapping meta-analyses on the role of acetylcysteine in the prevention of contrast associated nephropathy: case study.BMJ. 2006 Jan 28;332(7535):202-9. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38693.516782.7C. Epub 2006 Jan 16. BMJ. 2006. PMID: 16415336 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Meta-analysis: a tool for medical and scientific discoveries.Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1992 Jul;80(3):219-22. Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1992. PMID: 1525615 Free PMC article.
-
Thomas C Chalmers (1917-1995): a pioneer of randomised clinical trials and systematic reviews.J R Soc Med. 2015 Jun;108(6):237-41. doi: 10.1177/0141076815586354. J R Soc Med. 2015. PMID: 26085561 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
-
Cochrane reviews compared with industry supported meta-analyses and other meta-analyses of the same drugs: systematic review.BMJ. 2006 Oct 14;333(7572):782. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38973.444699.0B. Epub 2006 Oct 6. BMJ. 2006. PMID: 17028106 Free PMC article. Review.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Medical