title: A meta-analysis of clinical trials involving different classifications of response into ordered categories.
abstract: Statistical methods are available for performing a meta-analysis when the response variable of interest is the same in each study. Problems arise when studies exploring a common therapeutic question use different patient response types. This article presents statistical methods for combining studies which involve different classifications of response into ordered categories. The assumptions required for the stratified proportional odds model, on which the analysis is based, are discussed. The approach is illustrated using results from a series of studies investigating the prevention of gastrointestinal damage induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Statistics, The University, Whiteknights, Reading, U.K.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol