Impact of heterogeneity and effect size on the estimation of the optimal information size: analysis of recently published meta-analyses.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To estimate the proportion of systematic reviews that meet the optimal information size (OIS) and assess the impact heterogeneity and effect size have on the OIS estimate by type of outcome (eg, mortality, semiobjective or subjective).

Methods

We carried out searches of Medline and Cochrane to retrieve meta-analyses published in systematic reviews from 2010 to 2012. We estimated the OIS using Trial Sequential Analysis software (TSA V.0.9) and based on several heterogeneity and effect size scenarios, stratifying by type of outcome (mortality/semiobjective/subjective) and by Cochrane/non-Cochrane reviews.

Results

We included 137 meta-analyses out of 218 (63%) potential systematic reviews (one meta-analysis from each systematic review). Of these reviews,

SUBMITTER: Garcia-Alamino JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5695413 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature