How are meta-analyses being conducted and reported in dentistry? A meta-research study
Braz. j. oral sci
; 20: e211701, jan.-dez. 2021. ilus
Article
en En
| BBO, LILACS
| ID: biblio-1254532
Biblioteca responsable:
BR218.1
ABSTRACT
Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate how meta-analyses are conducted and reported in dentistry.Methods:
We conducted a search to identify dentistry-related Systematic Reviews (SRs) indexed in PubMed in 2017 (from January 01 until December 31) and published in the English language. We included only SRs reporting at least one meta-analysis. The study selection followed the 4-phase flow set forth in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA), and it was independently conducted by two researchers. Data extraction was performed by one of three reviewers, and data related to conducting and reporting of the meta-analysis were collected. Descriptive data analysis was performed summarizing frequencies for categorical items or median and interquartile range for continuous data.Results:
We included 214 SRs with meta-analyses. Most of the studies reported in the title that a meta-analysis was conducted. We identified three critical flaws in the included studies Ninety (90) meta-analyses (43.1%) did not specify the primary outcome; most of the meta-analyses reported that a measure of statistical heterogeneity was used to justify the use of a fixed-effect or random-effects meta-analysis model (n=114, 58.5%); and a great part did not assess publication bias (n=106, 49.5%).Conclusion:
We identified deficiencies in the reporting and conduct of meta-analysis in dentistry, suggesting that there is room for improvement. Educational approaches are necessary to improve the quality of such analyses and to avoid biased and impreciseresults:
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
BBO
/
LILACS
Asunto principal:
Salud Bucal
/
Informe de Investigación
/
Revisiones Sistemáticas como Asunto
Tipo de estudio:
Systematic_reviews
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Braz. j. oral sci
Asunto de la revista:
ODONTOLOGIA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Brasil