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Publication bias & small-study effects in pediatric dentistry meta-analyses
Spyridon N Papageorgiou1, Dionysia Dimitraki2, Trilby Coolidge3
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Department of Oral Technology, School of Dentistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Clinical Research Unit 208, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice
|February 11, 2015
Summary
Publication bias and small-study effects are present in pediatric dentistry meta-analyses. Future research should routinely assess the impact of missing studies on treatment effect estimates.
Area of Science:
- Dental Research
- Evidence Synthesis
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Publication bias and small-study effects can distort findings in meta-analyses.
- Assessing these biases is crucial for reliable evidence synthesis in pediatric dentistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of publication bias and small-study effects in meta-analyses concerning pediatric dentistry.
- To determine if specific characteristics of meta-analyses accentuate these biases.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of 46 meta-analyses (MAs) and quantitative re-analysis of 39 MAs.
- Utilized contour-enhanced funnel plots, Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation, Egger's linear regression, Rosenthal's failsafe N, and Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill.
Main Results:
- Few MAs adequately assessed publication bias.
- Funnel plot asymmetry was detected, confirmed by statistical tests (Begg-Mazumdar: 18%, Egger's: 33%).
- Evidence of asymmetry was more pronounced in dental journals and diagnostic meta-analyses.
Conclusions:
- Publication bias and small-study effects are evident in the pediatric dental literature.
- The influence of small or missing trials on estimated treatment effects requires routine assessment in future meta-analyses.
