Abstract

VERA CARRASCO, Oscar. EL METAANALISIS EN LA INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA MÉDICA. Rev. Méd. La Paz [online]. 2023, vol.29, n.2, pp.80-85.  Epub Dec 30, 2023. ISSN 1726-8958.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been established as fundamental tools for evidence-based clinical practice. Initially, meta-analysis was proposed as a technique that could improve the precision and statistical power of individual studies research, with small sample sizes. However, one of its main drawbacks was related to usually comparing only 2 alternatives at a time. “Network metaanalyses” uses novel analytical techniques that allow information from direct and indirect comparisons to be incorporated from a network of studies that examine the effects of various treatments in a more comprehensive way. Despite potential limitations, its application in clinical epidemiology would most likely be useful in situations where there are several treatments that need to be compared against a common comparator.

In addition, these techniques may be relevant to answer research questions that involve multiple treatments, or when both direct and indirect information are available in the body of evidence.

Keywords : Meta-analysis; Mixed comparisons; Multiple comparisons; Evidence synthesis; Systematic review.

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