Do statistical heterogeneity methods impact the results of meta- analyses? A meta epidemiological study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Orthodontic systematic reviews (SRs) use different methods to pool the individual studies in a meta-analysis when indicated. However, the number of studies included in orthodontic meta-analyses is relatively small. This study aimed to evaluate the direction of estimate changes of orthodontic meta-analyses (MAs) using different between-study variance methods considering the level of heterogeneity when few trials were pooled.

Methods

Search and study selection: Systematic reviews (SRs) published over the last three years, from the 1st of January 2020 to the 31st of December 2022, in six main orthodontic journals with at least one MA pooling five or lesser primary studies were identified. Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted from each eligible MA, which

SUBMITTER: Mheissen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10950254 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature