Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

Funnel plots, and tests for funnel plot asymmetry, have been widely used to examine bias in the results of meta-analyses. Funnel plot asymmetry should not be equated with publication bias, because it has a number of other possible causes. This article describes how to interpret funnel plot asymmetry, recommends appropriate tests, and explains the implications for choice of meta-analysis model

Keywords

Funnel plotFunnelAsymmetryPublication biasMeta-analysisPlot (graphics)Forest plotEconometricsStatisticsMathematicsConfidence intervalEnvironmental scienceMedicinePhysicsParticle physics

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Publication Info

Year: 2011
Type: article
Volume: 343
Issue: jul22 1
Pages: d4002-d4002
Citations: 6830
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Jonathan A C Sterne, 
                                
                                    Alex J. Sutton, 
                                
                                    John P. A. Ioannidis
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (2011). 
                            Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. 
                            BMJ
                            , 343
                            (jul22 1)
                            , d4002-d4002.
                            https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d4002
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d4002