Objectives: To describe how systematic reviewers are reporting missing data for dichotomous outcomes, handling them in the analysis and assessing the risk of associated bias.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for systematic reviews of randomised trials published in 2010, and reporting a meta-analysis of a dichotomous outcome. We randomly selected 98 Cochrane and 104 non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Teams of 2 reviewers selected eligible studies and abstracted data independently and in duplicate using standardised, piloted forms with accompanying instructions. We conducted regression analyses to explore factors associated with using complete case analysis and with judging the risk of bias associated with missing participant data.
Results: Of Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews, 47% and 7% (p<0.0001), respectively, reported on the number of participants with missing data, and 41% and 9% reported a plan for handling missing categorical data. The 2 most reported approaches for handling missing data were complete case analysis (8.5%, out of the 202 reviews) and assuming no participants with missing data had the event (4%). The use of complete case analysis was associated only with Cochrane reviews (relative to non-Cochrane: OR=7.25; 95% CI 1.58 to 33.3, p=0.01). 65% of reviews assessed risk of bias associated with missing data; this was associated with Cochrane reviews (relative to non-Cochrane: OR=6.63; 95% CI 2.50 to 17.57, p=0.0001), and the use of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology (OR=5.02; 95% CI 1.02 to 24.75, p=0.047).
Conclusions: Though Cochrane reviews are somewhat less problematic, most Cochrane and non-Cochrane systematic reviews fail to adequately report and handle missing data, potentially resulting in misleading judgements regarding risk of bias.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009368 | DOI Listing |
J Rehabil Med
January 2025
Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of immersive technologies in the rehabilitation of patients with non-specific neck pain and identify any potential side effects associated with their use.
Design: Systematic review.
Subjects/patients: Individuals with non-specific neck pain.
Cureus
December 2024
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unidade de Saúde Local de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, PRT.
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the impact of sleep on athletic performance, the prevalence and causes of sleep disturbances, and effective monitoring and intervention strategies to enhance sleep quality and duration. A comprehensive review of case studies, observational studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to July 2024. Sleep plays a crucial role in the overall well-being and performance of athletes, yet sleep issues are highly prevalent due to factors such as competition schedules, psychological stress, and travel across time zones.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Oncol
January 2025
Department of Pancreatic and Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background: Mucin family members have been reported to be widely expressed in gastric carcinoma with diverse functions. Several important mucins exert the function of tumorigenesis or progression in gastric cancer (GC). Here, we conduct this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between mucin expression and clinicopathological features in GC.
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January 2025
Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Introduction: The incidence of pediatric tracheostomy is on the rise. More children are undergoing tracheostomy at a younger age and living longer and cared for at home. Caring for children with tracheostomy affects the caregivers' Quality of Life (QOL) and caregiver burden.
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