Adjustment for reporting bias in network meta-analysis of antidepressant trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Network meta-analysis (NMA), a generalization of conventional MA, allows for assessing the relative effectiveness of multiple interventions. Reporting bias is a major threat to the validity of MA and NMA. Numerous methods are available to assess the robustness of MA results to reporting bias. We aimed to extend such methods to NMA.

Methods

We introduced 2 adjustment models for Bayesian NMA. First, we extended a meta-regression model that allows the effect size to depend on its standard error. Second, we used a selection model that estimates the propensity of trial results being published and in which trials with lower propensity are weighted up in the NMA model. Both models rely on the assumption that biases are exchangeable across the network. We applied the mode

SUBMITTER: Trinquart L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3537713 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature