title: A guide to understanding meta-analysis.
abstract: With the focus on evidence-based practice in healthcare, a well-conducted systematic review that includes a meta-analysis where indicated represents a high level of evidence for treatment effectiveness. The purpose of this commentary is to assist clinicians in understanding meta-analysis as a statistical tool using both published articles and explanations of components of the technique. We describe what meta-analysis is, what heterogeneity is, and how it affects meta-analysis, effect size, the modeling techniques of meta-analysis, and strengths and weaknesses of meta-analysis. Common components like forest plot interpretation, software that may be used, special cases for meta-analysis, such as subgroup analysis, individual patient data, and meta-regression, and a discussion of criticisms, are included.
authors: Saint Louis University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St Louis, MO 63104, USA. Israelha@slu.edu
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Israel
authors: Randy R
authors: RR
authors: Richter
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D018401:Sample Size; D016896:Treatment Outcome