Meta-analysis of clinical trials: a consumer's guide

Journal of Biopharmaceutical Statistics
N L Geller, M Proschan

Abstract

Meta-analysis is a popular statistical tool allowing the synthesis of related research studies in a quantitative manner. Components of a good meta-analysis are first discussed, with a view toward critical reading of reports of meta-analyses. Examples include lipid-lowering drugs and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A role for meta-analysis in the design and monitoring of clinical trials was examined at a workshop held at the National Institutes of Health and aspects of these uses of meta-analyses are considered. Basic analytical and graphical methods of meta-analysis are briefly reviewed. The goal is to encourage more thoughtful evaluation of the many meta-analyses that are published or are presented.

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Citations

May 27, 2005·Bio Systems·Santiago F Elena, Rafael Sanjuán
Jul 24, 2002·International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents·Hartwig Wilhelm BauerGabriela S S Blessmann
Apr 29, 1998·Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology·R L RudolphR Chitra

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