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Published on: July 5, 2011
A Systematic Review of Meta-analyses Published in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
Mark P Cote1, John M Apostolakos2, Andreas Voss2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, U.S.A..
Purpose:
To determine whether the number of meta-analyses published by Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery has increased from the inception of the Journal through 2014.
Methods:
A literature search of the Journal's Web site and Medline was carried out. All studies described as a "meta-analysis" as well as systematic reviews that pooled data were included. The number of published meta-analyses was calculated and summarized by year of publication, region, topic, and level of evidence.
Results:
The Journal's Web site search resulted in 517 citations for review, and the Medline search resulted in 400. After the results of each search were combined and duplicates were removed, a total of 60 studies were included in this review. The first published meta-analysis appeared in 2001. Of the 60 meta-analyses, 36 (60%) were published between 2013 and 2014. In light of the increase in the number of publications, a review of the design and conduct of a meta-analysis is presented in a straightforward question-and-answer format.
Conclusions:
The number of meta-analyses appearing in Arthroscopy has increased over the past 2 decades. This increase highlights the importance of developing an understanding of the premise and components of a meta-analysis to allow the reader to critically appraise these studies.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV, systematic review of Level I through IV meta-analyses.
