Challenges in meta-analyses with observational studies.

Evidence-based Mental Health
Silvia Metelli, Anna Chaimani

Abstract

Meta-analyses of observational studies are frequently published in the literature, but they are generally considered suboptimal to those involving randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only. This is due to the increased risk of biases that observational studies may entail as well as because of the high heterogeneity that might be present. In this article, we highlight aspects of meta-analyses with observational studies that need more careful consideration in comparison to meta-analyses of RCTs. We present an overview of recommendations from the literature with respect to how the different steps of a meta-analysis involving observational studies should be comprehensively conducted. We focus more on issues arising at the step of the quantitative synthesis, in terms of handling heterogeneity and biases. We briefly describe some sophisticated synthesis methods, which may allow for more flexible modelling approaches than common meta-analysis models. We illustrate the issues encountered in the presence of observational studies using an example from mental health, which assesses the risk of myocardial infarction in antipsychotic drug users. The increased heterogeneity observed among studies challenges the interpretation of the diamond, ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 20, 2021·Brachytherapy·Gustavo Arruda VianiLigia Issa De Fendi
Feb 2, 2021·International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics : the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·Deborah Obeng-TuudahRezan Abdul Kadir
Apr 8, 2021·JAMA Surgery·Benjamin S BrookeTimothy M Pawlik
May 25, 2021·Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica·Natalie ShohamClaudia Cooper
Jul 11, 2021·Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research·Mattia ZappaláNicola R Heneghan
Aug 3, 2021·Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine : Including Molecular Interventions·Corinne S BabiolakisWael Abuzeid
Jun 11, 2021·Sexually Transmitted Diseases·Aikaterini TsentemeidouNikolaos Tsetsos
Oct 15, 2021·Postgraduate Medical Journal·Chung Mun Alice LinDavid J Deehan
Oct 14, 2021·Human Reproduction Update·Laura A WijsRoger J Hart

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