Combining summaries of binary outcomes with those of continuous outcomes in a meta-analysis.
We present a methodology for combining trials some of which report continuous outcome measures and others binary outcomes created by a dichotomy of the continuous measurement. This was motivated by a series of controlled clinical trials investigating the effect of prophylactic use of oxytocics on postpartum blood loss during labor. Data were available in the form of summary statistics from published papers. The log-odds ratio is used as a common measure of treatment difference across all trials. We discuss the general applicability of this approach.
Whitehead
A
A
Medical and Pharmaceutical Statistics Research Unit, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, UK.
Bailey
A J
AJ
Elbourne
D
D
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010120:Oxytocics