Synthesis methods used to combine observational studies and randomised trials in published meta-analyses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study examined the synthesis methods used in meta-analyses pooling data from observational studies (OSs) and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from various medical disciplines.

Methods

We searched Medline via PubMed to identify reports of systematic reviews of interventions, including and pooling data from RCTs and OSs published in 110 high-impact factor general and specialised journals between 2015 and 2019. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. To describe the synthesis methods used in the meta-analyses, we considered the first meta-analysis presented in each article.

Results

Overall, 132 reports were identified with a median number of included studies of 14 [9-26]. The median number of OSs was 6.5 [3-12] and that of RCTs was 3

SUBMITTER: Cheurfa C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10880204 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature