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Synthesis methods used to combine observational studies and randomised trials in published meta-analyses.

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  • معلومة اضافية
    • المصدر:
      Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101580575 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2046-4053 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20464053 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Syst Rev
    • بيانات النشر:
      Original Publication: London : BioMed Central
    • الموضوع:
      Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic* ; Meta-Analysis as Topic* ; Observational Studies as Topic*; Humans ; Research Design
    • نبذة مختصرة :
      Background: This study examined the synthesis methods used in meta-analyses pooling data from observational studies (OSs) and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from various medical disciplines.
      Methods: We searched Medline via PubMed to identify reports of systematic reviews of interventions, including and pooling data from RCTs and OSs published in 110 high-impact factor general and specialised journals between 2015 and 2019. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. To describe the synthesis methods used in the meta-analyses, we considered the first meta-analysis presented in each article.
      Results: Overall, 132 reports were identified with a median number of included studies of 14 [9-26]. The median number of OSs was 6.5 [3-12] and that of RCTs was 3 [1-6]. The effect estimates recorded from OSs (i.e., adjusted or unadjusted) were not specified in 82% (n = 108) of the meta-analyses. An inverse-variance common-effect model was used in 2% (n = 3) of the meta-analyses, a random-effects model was used in 55% (n = 73), and both models were used in 40% (n = 53). A Poisson regression model was used in 1 meta-analysis, and 2 meta-analyses did not report the model they used. The mean total weight of OSs in the studied meta-analyses was 57.3% (standard deviation, ± 30.3%). Only 44 (33%) meta-analyses reported results stratified by study design. Of them, the results between OSs and RCTs had a consistent direction of effect in 70% (n = 31). Study design was explored as a potential source of heterogeneity in 79% of the meta-analyses, and confounding factors were investigated in only 10% (n = 13). Publication bias was assessed in 70% (n = 92) of the meta-analyses. Tau-square was reported in 32 meta-analyses with a median of 0.07 [0-0.30].
      Conclusion: The inclusion of OSs in a meta-analysis on interventions could provide useful information. However, considerations of several methodological and conceptual aspects of OSs, that are required to avoid misleading findings, were often absent or insufficiently reported in our sample.
      (© 2024. The Author(s).)
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    • Grant Information:
      ANR-22-CE36-0013-01 Agence Nationale de la Recherche
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Comparative effectiveness, heterogeneous designs; Data synthesis; Non-randomised studies
    • الموضوع:
      Date Created: 20240221 Date Completed: 20240807 Latest Revision: 20240807
    • الموضوع:
      20240808
    • الرقم المعرف:
      PMC10880204
    • الرقم المعرف:
      10.1186/s13643-024-02464-w
    • الرقم المعرف:
      38383488