artículo
A methodological survey of the analysis, reporting and interpretation of Absolute Risk ReductiOn in systematic revieWs (ARROW): a study protocol
Fecha
2013Registro en:
Systematic Reviews. 2013 Dec 13;2(1):113
10.1186/2046-4053-2-113
Autor
Alonso-Coello, Pablo
Carrasco-Labra, Alonso
Brignardello-Petersen, Romina
Neumann Burotto, Gonzalo Ignacio
Akl, Elie A
Sun, Xin
Johnston, Bradley C
Briel, Matthias
Busse, Jason W
Glujovsky, Demián
Granados, Carlos E
Iorio, Alfonso
Irfan, Affan
García, Laura M
Mustafa, Reem A
Ramirez-Morera, Anggie
Solà, Iván
Tikkinen, Kari A O
Ebrahim, Shanil
Vandvik, Per O
Zhang, Yuqing
Selva, Anna
Sanabria, Andrea J
Zazueta, Oscar E
Vernooij, Robin W M
Schünemann, Holger J
Guyatt, Gordon H
Institución
Resumen
Abstract
Background
Clinicians, providers and guideline panels use absolute effects to weigh the advantages and downsides of treatment alternatives. Relative measures have the potential to mislead readers. However, little is known about the reporting of absolute measures in systematic reviews. The objectives of our study are to determine the proportion of systematic reviews that report absolute measures of effect for the most important outcomes, and ascertain how they are analyzed, reported and interpreted.
Methods/design
We will conduct a methodological survey of systematic reviews published in 2010. We will conduct a 1:1 stratified random sampling of Cochrane vs. non-Cochrane systematic reviews. We will calculate the proportion of systematic reviews reporting at least one absolute estimate of effect for the most patient-important outcome for the comparison of interest. We will conduct multivariable logistic regression analyses with the reporting of an absolute estimate of effect as the dependent variable and pre-specified study characteristics as the independent variables. For systematic reviews reporting an absolute estimate of effect, we will document the methods used for the analysis, reporting and interpretation of the absolute estimate.
Discussion
Our methodological survey will inform current practices regarding reporting of absolute estimates in systematic reviews. Our findings may influence recommendations on reporting, conduct and interpretation of absolute estimates. Our results are likely to be of interest to systematic review authors, funding agencies, clinicians, guideline developers and journal editors.