An approach to exploring patterns of imbalance and potential missingness in reports of the randomized baseline values for primary outcomes measurable at baseline in randomized controlled trials for meta-analyses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study evaluated the adequacy of randomization in randomized controlled trials by investigating baseline differences in the primary outcome when a meta-analysis employed an outcome whose baseline level was measurable.

Methods

We retrieved Cochrane reviews published during one year. We calculated the proportion of studies that reported randomized baseline values for the primary outcome. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to assess baseline imbalance and heterogeneity. We explored ranking-ordered forest plots using a normal cumulative probability curve as a guideline representing well-performed randomized trials. When skewness was suggested, a funnel plot was drawn to assess whether there was a significant linear trend.

Results

In 10 of 18 me

SUBMITTER: Park EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9148458 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature