[How to read a meta-analysis?].

Abstract

Meta-analysis is aimed at assessing an exhaustive, unbiased, reproducible, quantified and accurate synthesis of a research problem. It is sustained by a systematic review of the literature and has statistical particularities. Sources of error and bias are numerous. In this paper, we describe them following the methodology steps of a well-conducted meta-analysis. Causes of divergent conclusions of meta-analyses are described and illustrated with the example of cancer risk assessment in TNF inhibitor-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients. Eventually, this article provides key-points to help readers to detect sources of error and bias in meta-analyses.

• Authors: G Moulis, A Sommet
• Journal: La Revue de medecine interne (Rev Med Interne) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 250-8 (Apr 2014) ISSN: 1768-3122 [Electronic] France
• Vernacular Title: Comment lire une méta-analyse?
• PMID: 24029290 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Société nationale française de médecine interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Bias
• Data Interpretation, Statistical
• Evidence-Based Medicine (methods, statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Meta-Analysis as Topic
• Neoplasms (epidemiology, etiology)
• Research Design
• Risk Factors
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors)