Comments on Meta-Analyses in General and in Stem Cell Research: An Overview and Cautionary Advice

Meta-analysis, a tool for contrasting and combining results from different research studies, has been around now for over 40 years. Journal editors are eager to publish the results from meta-analyses, as they propose to represent the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. There are guidelines available, most notably through the Cochrane Collaborative, for investigators to follow in conducting a responsible and, therefore publishable, meta-analysis. Despite the burgeoning popularity of this powerful analytical tool, the procedure is not without its pitfalls. In this study, we advise the readership to familiarize themselves with the most common shortcomings in an effort to help elevate our ability to critically appraise the results of these analyses.