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Reporting and methodologic evaluation of meta-analyses published in the anesthesia literature according to AMSTAR and
Jae Hoon Oh1, Woo Jong Shin1, Suin Park1
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
There have been few recent reports on the methodological quality of meta-analysis, despite the enormous number of studies using meta-analytic techniques in the field of anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of meta-analyses and systematic reviews according to the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the anesthesia literature.
Methods:
A search was conducted to identify all meta-analyses ever been published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia (BJA), Anaesthesia, and Korean Journal of Anesthesiology (KJA) between Jan. 01, 2004 and Nov. 31, 2016. We aimed to apply the AMSTAR and PRISMA checklists to all published meta-analyses.
Results:
We identified 121 meta-analyses in the anesthesia literature from January 2004 through the end of November 2016 (BJA; 75, Anaesthesia; 43, KJA; 3). The number of studies published and percentage of 'Yes' responses for meta-analysis articles published after the year 2010 was significantly increased compared to that of studies published before the year 2009 (P = 0.014 for Anaesthesia). In the anesthesia literature as a whole, participation of statisticians as authors statistically improved average scores of PRISMA items (P = 0.004) especially in the BJA (P = 0.003).
Conclusions:
Even though there is little variability in the reporting and methodology of meta-analysis in the anesthesia literature, significant quality improvement in the reporting was observed in the Anaesthesia by applying the PRISMA checklist. Participation of a statistician as an author improved the reporting quality of the meta-analysis.
Insights
This study assessed the quality of anesthesia meta-analyses using AMSTAR and PRISMA guidelines. Improved reporting quality was noted, especially when statisticians were authors.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Medical Informatics
- Research Methodology
Background:
- Limited recent reports on meta-analysis methodological quality in anesthesia.
- Growing use of meta-analytic techniques necessitates quality assessment.
- Need to evaluate anesthesia meta-analyses against established guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the methodological quality of meta-analyses and systematic reviews in anesthesia literature.
- To assess adherence to Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
- To identify factors influencing the quality of published meta-analyses.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search for meta-analyses in key anesthesia journals (BJA, Anaesthesia, KJA) from 2004-2016.
- Application of AMSTAR and PRISMA checklists to assess reporting and methodological quality.
- Statistical analysis to compare quality metrics before and after 2010 and assess the impact of statistician involvement.
Main Results:
- 121 meta-analyses were identified across the selected journals.
- Significant increase in published studies and 'Yes' responses for meta-analyses post-2010, particularly in Anaesthesia (P=0.014).
- Involvement of statisticians as authors significantly improved PRISMA scores (P=0.004), especially in BJA (P=0.003).
Conclusions:
- Anesthesia meta-analyses show some variability in reporting and methodology.
- Significant improvements in reporting quality observed in Anaesthesia following PRISMA checklist application.
- Statistician authorship is linked to enhanced meta-analysis reporting quality.
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