Meta-analysis for individual participant data with a continuous exposure: A case study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Methods for meta-analysis of studies with individual participant data and continuous exposure variables are well described in the statistical literature but are not widely used in clinical and epidemiological research. The purpose of this case study is to make the methods more accessible.

Study design and setting

A two-stage process is demonstrated. Response curves are estimated separately for each study using fractional polynomials. The study-specific curves are then averaged pointwise over all studies at each value of the exposure. The averaging can be implemented using fixed effects or random effects methods.

Results

The methodology is illustrated using samples of real data with continuous outcome and exposure data and several covariates. The sample data

SUBMITTER: Darssan D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9263279 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature