Quantifying bias in randomized controlled trials in child health: a meta-epidemiological study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To quantify bias related to specific methodological characteristics in child-relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Design

Meta-epidemiological study.

Data sources

We identified systematic reviews containing a meta-analysis with 10-40 RCTs that were relevant to child health in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Data extraction

Two reviewers independently assessed RCTs using items in the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and other study factors. We used meta-epidemiological methods to assess for differences in effect estimates between studies classified as high/unclear vs. low risk of bias.

Results

We included 287 RCTs from 17 meta-analyses. The proportion of studies at high/unclear risk of bias was: 79% sequence generation, 83% alloca

SUBMITTER: Hartling L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3913714 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature