Trial-level characteristics associate with treatment effect estimates: a systematic review of meta-epidemiological studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To summarize the up-to-date empirical evidence on trial-level characteristics of randomized controlled trials associated with treatment effect estimates.

Methods

A systematic review searched three databases up to August 2020. Meta-epidemiological (ME) studies of randomized controlled trials on intervention effect were eligible. We assessed the methodological quality of ME studies using a self-developed criterion. Associations between treatment effect estimates and trial-level characteristics were presented using forest plots.

Results

Eighty ME studies were included, with 25/80 (31%) being published after 2015. Less than one-third ME studies critically appraised the included studies (26/80, 33%), published a protocol (23/80, 29%), and provided a list of excl

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9202161 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature