Measuring the impact of zero-cases studies in evidence synthesis practice using the harms index and benefits index (Hi-Bi).

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

In evidence synthesis practice, dealing with studies with no cases in both arms has been a tough problem, for which there is no consensus in the research community. In this study, we propose a method to measure the potential impact of studies with no cases for meta-analysis results which we define as harms index (Hi) and benefits index (Bi) as an alternative solution for deciding how to deal with such studies.

Methods

Hi and Bi are defined by the minimal number of cases added to the treatment arm (Hi) or control arm (Bi) of studies with no cases in a meta-analysis that lead to a change of the direction of the estimates or its statistical significance. Both exact and approximating methods are available to calculate Hi and Bi. We developed the "hibi" module in Stata

SUBMITTER: Xu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10010026 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature