A systematic review of individual patient data meta-analyses on surgical interventions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Compared to subgroup analyses in a single study or in a traditional meta-analysis, an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) offers important potential advantages. We studied how many IPDMAs report on surgical interventions, how many of those surgical IPDMAs perform subgroup analyses, and whether these subgroup analyses have changed decision-making in clinical practice.

Methods

Surgical IPDMAs were identified using a comprehensive literature search. The last search was conducted on 24 April 2012. For each IPDMA included, we obtained information using a standardized data extraction form, and the quality of reporting was assessed. We also checked whether results were implemented in clinical guidelines.

Results

Of all 583 identified IPDMAs, 22 (4%) repo

SUBMITTER: Hannink G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3704956 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature