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Sample size calculation for meta-epidemiological studies.

Bruno Giraudeau1, Julian P T Higgins2, Elsa Tavernier3,4,5

  • 1Centre Cochrane Français, Paris, France.

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|August 20, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers can now calculate the necessary sample size for meta-epidemiological studies. This study provides a theoretical formula and a more accurate simulation approach for determining the number of meta-analyses needed.

Keywords:
meta-epidemiological studymultilevel modelsample size

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Area of Science:

  • Biostatistics
  • Epidemiology
  • Clinical Trial Methodology

Background:

  • Meta-epidemiological studies compare treatment effects across trials with varying characteristics.
  • A gap exists in methods for a priori sample size determination in these studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To derive a theoretical power function and sample size formula for meta-epidemiological studies.
  • To propose and validate a simulation approach for more accurate sample size calculations.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a hierarchical model for a theoretical power function and sample size formula.
  • Conducted a simulation study to assess the accuracy of the theoretical approach.
  • Proposed a simulation-based approach to relax theoretical model constraints.

Main Results:

  • The theoretical power function overestimated power due to equal weighting assumptions.
  • A simulation approach proved more accurate by relaxing constraints.
  • Number of trials per meta-analysis and proportion of trials with the characteristic are key power influencers.

Conclusions:

  • Analytical results offer a 'rule of thumb' for sample size calculation in meta-epidemiological studies.
  • A simulation study provides a more precise method for sample size determination.
  • These methods aid researchers in planning robust meta-epidemiological investigations.