Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Sciacca F, Bell D, Meta-analysis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Jan 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-182580
Meta-analysis (plural: meta-analyzes) is a statistical technique that returns in a single numerical estimate (synthesis) the results of multiple clinical trials relating, for example, to the same pharmacological treatment 1,2. Meta-analyzes of RCTs specifically, are the most robust evidence of evidence based medicine (EBM) 3.
Characteristic of meta-analyzes is that they must always be preceded by systematic reviews 4,5. A meta-analysis includes a systematic review, but one systematic review does not mean that a meta-analysis has occurred. The homogeneity of the studies included in the systematic review is of fundamental importance, otherwise developing a meta-analysis is not correct; in these cases it is better to favor qualitative approaches 6.
History and etymology
The term meta-analysis was coined by the American statistician Gene V Glass (fl. 2024) in 1976 2.
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1. Glass G. Meta‐analysis at Middle Age: A Personal History. Research Synthesis Methods. 2015;6(3):221-31. doi:10.1002/jrsm.1133 - Pubmed
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2. Glass G. Primary, Secondary, and Meta-Analysis of Research. Educational Researcher. 1976;5(10):3-8. doi:10.3102/0013189x005010003
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3. Salim Yusuf, John A. Cairns, A. John Camm et al. Evidence-Based Cardiology. (2011) ISBN: 9781444359459 - Google Books
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4. Delgado-Rodríguez M & Sillero-Arenas M. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Med Intensiva. 2018;42(7):444-53. doi:10.1016/j.medin.2017.10.003 - Pubmed
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5. Siddaway A, Wood A, Hedges L. How to Do a Systematic Review: A Best Practice Guide for Conducting and Reporting Narrative Reviews, Meta-Analyses, and Meta-Syntheses. Annu Rev Psychol. 2019;70(1):747-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102803 - Pubmed
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6. Caldwell P & Bennett T. Easy Guide to Conducting a Systematic Review. J Paediatrics Child Health. 2020;56(6):853-6. doi:10.1111/jpc.14853 - Pubmed
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