QUOROM checklist: are meta-analyses in good hands? Introdução à Medicina Turma Outubro 2007

Background What is a meta-analysis? It combines the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses. Important aspects are emphasized Bias are reduced

In 1987, a survey showed that only 24, out of 86 English-language meta analyses, reported all the six areas considered important to be part of a meta-analysis: Study design Control of bias Combinality Statistical Analysis Sensitivity analysis Application of results Background

In 1992 this survey was updated with 78 meta- analyses and the researchers noted that methodology has definitely improved since their first survey; However it needs better searches of the: Literature; quality evaluations of trials; and synthesis of the results. In 1992 this survey was updated with 78 meta- analyses and the researchers noted that methodology has definitely improved since their first survey; However it needs better searches of the: Literature; quality evaluations of trials; and synthesis of the results. Background

So in 1999, several researchers suggested the creation of the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) statement to improve and standardise reporting. Background

The QUOROM conference resulted in the creation of the QUOROM Statement: checklist and flow diagram. This checklist describes the best way to present all the sections of a meta- analysis. It is organized into 21 headings and subheadings. Background

Meta-analysis which adequately reported the validity of the studies Before the QUOROM statement: 39% After the QUOROM statement: 52% Meta-analysis which adequately reported the validity of the studies Before the QUOROM statement: 39% After the QUOROM statement: 52% Background

Randomized Selection Methods Journals with 4-5 Impact Factor 13 Journals

Last year’s Articles from each Journal Four Articles by Journal Each one of the selected Journals Randomized Selection Methods

Total of 52 Articles that will be submitted to the QUOROM checklist Randomized selection: groups of 4 Articles Mix up of the Articles Methods

Each student analyses a group of 4 articles After the students’ analysis, the articles will be mixed again Then, each student will analyse another 4 articles, randomly selected from the 48 articles previously analysed by the rest of the group Each Article has been analysed by 2 students Methods

review 1 review 2 Results are crossed and compared assess the similarity or disparity in each point

This way, we hope to successfully achieve our aim. Evaluate the reproducibility of the QUOROM checklist. Besides that, we are also aiming to discover the subjectivity and the less reproducible points of this checklist. Methods