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Publication bias in recent meta-analyses
1Department of Science, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
Plos One
|December 24, 2013
Summary
Publication bias is common in large meta-analyses. Statistically significant results are more likely to be included, potentially skewing research findings and impacting evidence-based medicine.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Biostatistics
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Positive and statistically significant research findings have higher publication rates.
- This selective reporting can bias the pool of studies available for meta-analysis.
- Smaller studies often show larger effects in published meta-analyses due to publication bias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between statistical significance and inclusion probability in recent meta-analyses.
- To quantify publication bias in large meta-analyses.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 49 meta-analyses from four major medical journals (2008-2012).
- Applied a Bayesian selection model to meta-analyses with at least 30 studies.
- Defined relative risk based on the inclusion probability of statistically significant versus other results.
Main Results:
- Publication bias was detected in a significant proportion of the analyzed meta-analyses.
- Statistically significant results favoring treatment were more likely included in 10/28 clinical trial meta-analyses.
- Biologically plausible significant outcomes were more likely included in 4/19 observational study meta-analyses.
Conclusions:
- Publication bias is prevalent in large meta-analyses published in major medical journals.
- This bias can influence the synthesis of evidence and potentially impact clinical decision-making.
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