Interpretation of tests of heterogeneity and bias in meta-analysis
Φόρτωση...
Ημερομηνία
Συγγραφείς
Ioannidis, J. P.
Τίτλος Εφημερίδας
Περιοδικό ISSN
Τίτλος τόμου
Εκδότης
Περίληψη
Τύπος
Είδος δημοσίευσης σε συνέδριο
Είδος περιοδικού
peer-reviewed
Είδος εκπαιδευτικού υλικού
Όνομα συνεδρίου
Όνομα περιοδικού
J Eval Clin Pract
Όνομα βιβλίου
Σειρά βιβλίου
Έκδοση βιβλίου
Συμπληρωματικός/δευτερεύων τίτλος
Περιγραφή
Statistical tests of heterogeneity and bias, in particular publication bias, are very popular in meta-analyses. These tests use statistical approaches whose limitations are often not recognized. Moreover, it is often implied with inappropriate confidence that these tests can provide reliable answers to questions that in essence are not of statistical nature. Statistical heterogeneity is only a correlate of clinical and pragmatic heterogeneity and the correlation may sometimes be weak. Similarly, statistical signals may hint to bias, but seen in isolation they cannot fully prove or disprove bias in general, let alone specific causes of bias, such as publication bias in particular. Both false-positive and false-negative signals of heterogeneity and bias can be common and their prevalence may be anticipated based on some rational considerations. Here I discuss the major common challenges and flaws that emerge in using and interpreting statistical tests of heterogeneity and bias in meta-analyses. I discuss misinterpretations that can occur at the level of statistical inference, clinical/pragmatic inference and specific cause attribution. Suggestions are made on how to avoid these flaws, use these tests properly and learn from them.
Περιγραφή
Λέξεις-κλειδιά
*Bias (Epidemiology), Confidence Intervals, *Data Interpretation, Statistical, Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, *Meta-Analysis as Topic, Publication Bias, Regression Analysis, Reproducibility of Results, Research Design/*standards, Risk, Sensitivity and Specificity
Θεματική κατηγορία
Παραπομπή
Σύνδεσμος
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19018930
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2008.00986.x/asset/j.1365-2753.2008.00986.x.pdf?v=1&t=h0je8aqh&s=6f2967bdbd3a5d944674e07c3a4e4305c5679290
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2008.00986.x/asset/j.1365-2753.2008.00986.x.pdf?v=1&t=h0je8aqh&s=6f2967bdbd3a5d944674e07c3a4e4305c5679290
Γλώσσα
en
Εκδίδον τμήμα/τομέας
Όνομα επιβλέποντος
Εξεταστική επιτροπή
Γενική Περιγραφή / Σχόλια
Ίδρυμα και Σχολή/Τμήμα του υποβάλλοντος
Πανεπιστήμιο Ιωαννίνων. Σχολή Επιστημών Υγείας. Τμήμα Ιατρικής