Journal of clinical epidemiology
-
In the conduct of a systematic review or meta-analysis, many possible sources of bias exist, such as bias caused by design characteristics. We studied the influence of the methodological study characteristics of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the outcome in a systematic review on conservative treatments in patients with tension-type headache (TTH). ⋯ In this study, sample design characteristics do not show to have an impact on treatment effect estimates, but the way the treatment effect is measured has a significant impact.
-
To determine the overall quality of reporting of meta-analyses (QUOROMs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on the QUOROM statement, to compare the reporting quality of paper-based articles and Cochrane reviews, and to determine whether compliance with the statement improves over time. ⋯ The reporting quality of meta-analyses improves with time. The reporting quality of Cochrane reviews is better compared with paper-based articles. Room still exists for improvements in the reporting quality of both Cochrane and paper-based articles.