Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test

Abstract

A simple analysis of funnel plots provides a useful test for the likely presence of bias in meta-analyses, but as the capacity to detect bias will be limited when meta-analyses are based on a limited number of small trials the results from such analyses should be treated with considerable caution.

Keywords

Funnel plotPublication biasMeta-analysisConcordanceMeta-regressionMedicineAsymmetryStatisticsSystematic errorForest plotSample size determinationMathematicsInternal medicinePhysics

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Publication Info

Year: 1997
Type: article
Volume: 315
Issue: 7109
Pages: 629-634
Citations: 53286
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Matthias Egger, 
                                
                                    George Davey Smith, 
                                
                                    Martin Schneider
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1997). 
                            Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. 
                            BMJ
                            , 315
                            (7109)
                            , 629-634.
                            https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629