Journal of clinical epidemiology
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Cumulative meta-analyses are prone to produce spurious P<0.05 because of repeated testing of significance as trial data accumulate. Information size in a meta-analysis should at least equal the sample size of an adequately powered trial. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) corresponds to group sequential analysis of a single trial and may be applied to meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence. ⋯ TSAs may establish when firm evidence is reached in meta-analysis.
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To assess the presence of publication bias and its relation to geographical bias in clinical trials involving complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) published in the highest impact factor general medicine journals. ⋯ Publication bias related to CAM trials among the highest impact factor general medicine journals is partly due to geographical bias.
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The Postoperative Morbidity Survey was validated and used to describe morbidity after major surgery.
To describe the reliability and validity of the Postoperative Morbidity Survey (POMS). To describe the level and pattern of short-term postoperative morbidity after major elective surgery using the POMS. ⋯ The POMS is a reliable and valid survey of short-term postoperative morbidity in major elective surgery. Many patients remain in hospital without any morbidity as recorded by the POMS.
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Review
Systematic review identifies number of strategies important for retaining study participants.
Loss to follow-up threatens internal and external validity yet little research has examined ways to limit participant attrition. We conducted a systematic review of studies with a primary focus on strategies to retain participants in health care research. ⋯ Available evidence suggests that investigators should consider using a number of retention strategies across several themes to maximize the retention of participants. Further research, including explicit evaluation of the effectiveness of different strategies, is needed.
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To assess the methodology of meta-analyses published in leading general and specialist medical journals over a 10-year period. ⋯ Many meta-analyses published in leading journals have important methodological limitations. The situation has improved in recent years but considerable room for further improvements remains.