METAANALYSIS AS A GUIDE TO CLINICAL-PRACTICE

Background: Meta-analysis is now widely used in order to increase the power of individual clinical studies. Important far-reaching conclusio ns have been derived by pooling the results of studies which in isolat ion would not be large enough to reach definitive conclusions. While t he statistical power is thereby amplified, so is the potential for err or. Objective: To assess the potential and the pitfalls of meta-analys is as a guide to clinical practice. Conclusions: Conclusions derived f rom meta-analysis may be influenced by unrecognized selection bias and heterogeneity of studies included. Publication of the results may be in a form which does not lend itself readily to critical analysis and misleading results may therefore be accepted.