Validity of observational evidence on putative risk and protective factors: appraisal of 3744 meta-analyses on 57 topics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The validity of observational studies and their meta-analyses is contested. Here, we aimed to appraise thousands of meta-analyses of observational studies using a pre-specified set of quantitative criteria that assess the significance, amount, consistency, and bias of the evidence. We also aimed to compare results from meta-analyses of observational studies against meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies.

Methods

We retrieved from PubMed (last update, November 19, 2020) umbrella reviews including meta-analyses of observational studies assessing putative risk or protective factors, regardless of the nature of the exposure and health outcome. We extracted information on 7 quantitative criteria that reflect the le

SUBMITTER: Janiaud P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8259334 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature