Network meta-analysis: an introduction for clinicians

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• 作者：Benjamin Rouse ; Anna Chaimani ; Tianjing Li
• 关键词：Network meta ; analysis ; Multiple treatment meta ; analysis ; Comparative effectiveness ; Transitivity
• 刊名：Internal and Emergency Medicine
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：February 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：12
• 期：1
• 页码：103-111
• 全文大小：
• 刊物主题：Internal Medicine;
• 出版者：Springer Milan
• ISSN：1970-9366
• 卷排序：12

文摘

Network meta-analysis is a technique for comparing multiple treatments simultaneously in a single analysis by combining direct and indirect evidence within a network of randomized controlled trials. Network meta-analysis may assist assessing the comparative effectiveness of different treatments regularly used in clinical practice and, therefore, has become attractive among clinicians. However, if proper caution is not taken in conducting and interpreting network meta-analysis, inferences might be biased. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the process of network meta-analysis with the aid of a working example on first-line medical treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma. We discuss the key assumption of network meta-analysis, as well as the unique considerations for developing appropriate research questions, conducting the literature search, abstracting data, performing qualitative and quantitative synthesis, presenting results, drawing conclusions, and reporting the findings in a network meta-analysis.